Japanese fashion is alive and well on the streets of New York City. In part thanks to the design creations from Public School. Raised in NYC, Dao-Yi Chow (with partner Maxwell Osborne), created the line using the influences he was surrounded by growing up. “We wanted to create something perfect in its imperfection” Chow explains. “Something that captured the attitude and rebellious spirit of New York. For us Public School represents the beginnings of that rebellion, it’s really the first place where we developed our attitude as a New Yorker.”
Public School’s logo is a black apple with a feather quill – both a nod to the Big Apple’s edgier side and an underlying quest for knowledge. Every piece of the collection tells a story, with impeccable attention to detail. High-end tailoring techniques get a street edge with elements like a sinch-back jacket with inset waistband straps, semi-elevated patch pockets and a convertible traditional spread collar that folds onto itself into a mandarin. Key fabrications for the spring collection include Italian vegetable dyed lamb leather, Japanese 2x1 cotton twill and a specially developed bonded nylon/cotton. Key items include a leather fitted biker vest with zip off fleece hood and sleeves. A pique polo shirt has a cropped collar with a raised stand made to toughen the neckline. A fresh take on military includes a perforated leather bomber with removable epaulettes and shooting patch.
Price points range from $72 for a T-shirt to $680 for leather outerwear. Wovens, jeans, and French terry knits range from $125- $230.