During their time at Parsons, they gained experience in the fashion world by interning at design houses; McCollough at Marc Jacobs, Hernandez at Micheal Kors.  In 2002, the duo got permission to work together on their senior thesis, which consisted of creating their own collection to present in a fashion show.  They named their line after their mothers’ maiden names, Proenza Schouler (pro-EN-za SKOO-ler).

Not only was their collection well received by their class (earning them the designer of the year award from their school), it caught the attention of Julie Gilhart, the fashion director for Barney’s.  The store ended up purchasing the entire collection. It was then that Proenza Schouler, still fresh from design school, became a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world.