Brooklyn Montessori Teachers' Designer Duds Go Viral, But It's Not What It Seems
Educators at a $40,000-a-year school sparked online speculation about their chic attire, leading to clarification from the school.
Teachers at the Ms. Lam Montessori School in Brooklyn recently gained internet fame when social media users noticed their distinctive and stylish clothing, leading to speculation that they were wearing designer Issey Miyake. The Williamsburg school, which charges $40,000 annually for tuition, became the subject of discussion on Reddit when a local resident questioned if the teachers' outfits were part of a uniform from the expensive Japanese designer.
The observation drew significant attention to the school's social media presence, which features numerous images and videos of teachers in garments that appeared to be from Issey Miyake's Pleats Please collection. A dress from this collection can retail for hundreds of dollars, leading some to believe the attire reflected the school's high tuition fees.
However, Ms. Lam Montessori, which has five locations in Brooklyn, clarified that the teachers were not wearing Issey Miyake. Instead, they are dressed in clothing from Yamasaki Takashi, a Taiwanese brand known for its similar silhouettes and designs. The school emphasized that these outfits are chosen for practical reasons within the Montessori environment.
According to the school, a dress worn by Head of School Stephanie Woo costs approximately $162 in U.S. dollars, with a matching coat priced at around $147. The school explained on Instagram that the practical nature of these garments is crucial for their role in the classroom. "In a Montessori classroom, the adult is part of the environment we prepare for children, just like the shelves and the materials. Our teachers kneel, carry, pour, and move with children all day," the post stated.
The school further elaborated that the clothes do not wrinkle or stain easily and maintain their appearance over time. For younger children, the distinctive attire also helps them easily identify who to approach for assistance. The school did not immediately respond to further requests for comment.