# Rachel Scott's Philosophy-Driven Fashion Brand

> Rachel Scott, a Jamaican-born philosophy student, founded Diotima to challenge Caribbean stereotypes in fashion.
- Title: Rachel Scott's Philosophy-Driven Fashion Brand · Vanity Fair
- Summary: Rachel Scott, a Jamaican-born philosophy student, founded Diotima to challenge Caribbean stereotypes in fashion. Rachel Scott created Diotima, a New York…
- Keywords: rachel scott, diotima, plato, caribbean fashion, new york fashion, philosophy, jamaica, cfda awards, proenza schouler, wifredo lam, rama duwaji, Rachel
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/rachel-scott-diotima
- Author: José Criales-Unzueta
- Published: 2026-10-14T18:18:40.656+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rachel scott, diotima, plato, caribbean fashion, new york fashion, philosophy, jamaica, cfda awards, proenza schouler, wifredo lam, rama duwaji
## 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
## Key takeaway

Rachel Scott created Diotima, a New York fashion brand inspired by Plato’s Diotima of Mantinea, to redefine Caribbean identity beyond exoticism.