Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, the creative minds behind Public School, have triumphantly returned to the fashion runway with their Fall 2026 menswear collection, aptly named "Everything Is Now." This marks a significant re-entry for the brand, which has experienced periods of notable success and subsequent pauses since its inception in 2008. Their journey includes prestigious accolades such as the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award and the CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear in 2013, followed by a stint at DKNY. The designers revealed that their hiatus was a deliberate step to reconnect with their foundational motivations, a sentiment echoed in a mock New York Times edition distributed at their show, emphasizing a need to "remember why we started this in the first place."
The latest collection is a testament to their refined focus and a deeply personal endeavor for Chow and Osborne. Shifting their concentration exclusively to menswear, the duo meticulously crafted each piece themselves, sans large teams, ensuring a collection that truly embodies their individual artistic expressions. Manufactured in New York, the garments not only celebrate the city's vibrant spirit but also reflect a maturity in the designers' approach. The runway show was charged with an electrifying atmosphere, amplified by a captivating soundtrack and the models' confident demeanor, all contributing to a powerful declaration of their renewed commitment to fashion.
The collection itself showcases a masterful blend of innovative materials and classic silhouettes. Highlights included a dark wash Canadian tuxedo, reimagining denim suiting with a refined cut, and an array of luxurious blue leathers. Noteworthy pieces featured a Prince of Wales check boxy blazer with an asymmetric closure, a striking satiny red zip-front, and a pin-striped half-zip. Trousers were designed with a higher waist and straight cut, while tailored shorts were presented as both standalone alternatives and layered over matching pants. A series of versatile coats, embodying a sense of New York-inspired ease and a non-negotiable "swag," rounded out the collection, symbolizing the designers' growth and experience. This return underscores the power of introspection and artistic resilience in navigating the dynamic world of fashion, demonstrating that true passion, when nurtured, can lead to exhilarating new beginnings.
