Rachel Scott's Philosophy Roots

Rachel Scott, a Jamaican-born philosophy student, named her fashion label Diotima after Plato’s female philosopher.

“I never wanted to have a brand [with] my name because, for me, that wasn’t the point”

Diotima's Caribbean Identity Challenge

Scott aims to move beyond exoticized Caribbean stereotypes and nostalgia for the 1970s era.

“I think in the beginning, I was really trying to make a point against what everyone thought the Caribbean was”

CFDA Awards Recognition

Scott won two consecutive CFDA Awards: emerging designer of the year in 2023 and womenswear designer of the year in 2:2024.

Proenza Schouler Appointment

Scott joined Proenza Schouler as creative director in September 2024 after moving to Paris with founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.

Diotima's Collaborations

Scott’s 2025 collection features collaborations with Wifredo Lam’s estate and New York City’s first lady Rama Duwaji.

Philosophy as Fashion Muse

Scott draws inspiration from Diotima’s concept of sublimating desire without repression to create meaningful fashion.

“It talks about civilization in society and how oppressive it can be, and when [Diotima] comes into it, it’s with this idea that you can sublimate desire in a nonrepressive way to create”

Caribbean Cultural Expansion

Scott’s brand blends Jamaican-made crochet with global appeal to counter European fashion’s niche perception of Caribbean culture.

“Their specificity is global, but for us, it’s niche or exotic”

Diotima's Core Philosophy

Scott envisions Diotima as a radical, intellectual, and erotic woman who embodies her own identity and aspirations.

“I don’t know who she is, maybe it’s who I want to be, or maybe it’s the women that I’m inspired by”

Diotima's Future Goals

Scott prioritizes longevity over billion-dollar growth, focusing on cultural impact rather than commercial scale.

“I think our impact can be global, but I don’t think it needs to come from such a massive place”