Leighton Meester with Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough

Before Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez presented their Spring 2010 collection at Milk Studios in New York City, the designers of Proenza Schouler hosted a celebration of the new Sundance Channel series, “The Day Before.”

The event included an exclusive screening  of the documentary, which follows the creative team of Proenza Schouler during the final  hours before their runway show. Producer Loic Prigent had full access to the fashion house as they prepared for their Fall 2009 show, which was presented at New York Fashion Week in February. As the New York designers resolved last-minute model changes and fittings, the long-time friends talked about their love for designing clothes and becoming a brand.

McCollough and Hernandez met in 1999 while studying at Parsons School of Design. Their brand name originates from their mothers’ maiden names. Proenza Schouler expanded their company to design handbags and shoes about a year and a half ago, which led them to winning the 2009 CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year Award. The artists enjoy creating their handbags based on the mood of their collection, and using different materials in the process. The designers realize that there is a hierarchy for ordering fabrics for their collections with other designers, such as Calvin Klein, whose orders are usually made before theirs. They understand that a big label will have a larger order for fabrics and materials, and they are not as big as Calvin Klein. Not yet, said McCollough, smiling.

Check your cable listings for the series, “The Day Before,” on the Sundance Channel.