Maxwell Osborne & Dao-Yi Chow
Creative directors and co-founders | Public School
Designers Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow, born and raised in New York City, represent the convergence and restless energy of the city in which they live and work. Founded in 2008, PUBLIC SCHOOL is redefining the landscape for menswear and women’s wear. Osborne and Chow blend high and low references from fashion, music, and art to create a point of view that is both unique and precisely detailed.
Osborne and Chow design and manufacture the full range of their collections in New York, incorporating fabric from the best Italian, Japanese and American mills. It is paramount to the Public School brand DNA that it keeps its production roots in New York, supporting local tailors, pattern makers and skilled garment workers. It is these genuine and personal experiences throughout the development process along with their design mantra ”finding perfection in imperfection,” that epitomize the brand and its commitment to produce only the finest quality clothing.
In 2010 PUBLIC SCHOOL was the sole menswear brand chosen by the Council of Fashion Designers of America to be part of the inaugural {FASHION INCUBATOR} business development program. After focusing on moving one hundred percent of production to New York City, Chow and Osborne affirm the brand’s ability to inject the attitude of their hometown into their designs.
In June 2013, PUBLIC SCHOOL was honored with the CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear. In November 2013, PUBLIC SCHOOL was named the winner of the prestigious 2013 CFDA VOGUE Fashion Fund Award. PUBLIC SCHOOL was one of ten finalists nominated for the award, it was their first nomination and win. During New York Fashion Week in February 2014, PUBLIC SCHOOL introduced the brand’s first collection of women’s wear to critical acclaim. The collection included a wide range of ready-to-wear, outerwear, and accessories.
PUBLIC SCHOOL was named CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year in June 2014. The brand also won the first US Woolmark Prize for Menswear in July 2014, and went on to claim the first International Woolmark Prize for Menswear in January 2015. Currently, the PUBLIC SCHOOL Collection is available at major department stores and specialty boutiques including Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Maxfield, Isetan, Boon The Shop, and Mr Porter.
