THE NEW SCHOOL: PUBLIC SCHOOL

What happens when the unconventional becomes popular? In the case of menswear designers, Public School, increased popularity simply means more people at your parties. It’s been said that the principal fundamentals of “cool” are achieved through a nuanced concoction of rebellion, aesthetic inclination, confidence and individuality. Turns out, being hip—and we’re not talking about Generation Y’s collective ethos of ironic living—is achieved by the timeless act of truly doing you.

The concept that authenticity will persevere is equal parts rudimentary and complex, and a notion that’s undoubtedly woven into the fabric of the universe. Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne have been marrying street logic and luxury since their tenures at 2004 CFDA award-winner, Sean John. Just a few years after meeting at the urban powerhouse, the duo reunited to produce cult-favorite menswear brand, Public School. Smart, athletic tailoring, a downtown sensibility, and opulent fabric choices fuse to construct a hybrid that pleases both the anti-hero and the notoriously exclusive fashion industry simultaneously.

“In terms of the staying underground, we want to affect as many people as possible, we aren’t interested in keeping it a little niche brand . . . not saying we’re trying to make it a megabrand, but eventually our goal is to make sort of a global lifestyle brand. It’s such a cliché, but for us to launch into different product categories, eventually produce women’s, retail, you know—all those things are in our plan. I don’t think the goal was ever to keep it this small underground thing. It’s great that it is—everyone has to start somewhere—but we’re really trying to grow.”

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_{text ERIN DENNISON
photo CONAN THAI
styling RAUL GUERRERO
hair MARIO CISNEROS
makeup FATIMOT ISADRE
photo assistant JOAN MICHEL VERGARA}