In 1998, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez started Proenza Schouler as a senior project at Parsons School of Design. In his junior year, Jack took an internship with Marc Jacobs, and for his subsequent junior collection he was awarded the National CFDA First Prize. Around this time, Lazaro had a chance encounter with American Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour that led to an internship and a close working relationship with Michael Kors. For his junior collection, Lazaro was also a National CFDA finalist and received the prestigious Silver Thimble. In their senior year at Parsons School of Design, Jack and Lazaro designed their first joint collection that exceeded all expectations. As a result, Proenza Schouler was born, named after their mothers.