Combster's NYFW Designer Spotlight: Diotima

Diotima, founded by Jamaican designer Rachel Scott in 2021, is a brand that intricately weaves together cultural narratives and high-quality craftsmanship.

With a career spanning 16 years in Milan and New York City, Scott has amassed extensive technical and creative expertise, having worked at various levels of the design process, from designer to executive.

Scott’s foundational experiences at Costume National in Italy instilled in her a deep reverence for craft, construction, and fine materials.

Her Jamaican heritage informs her design sensibility, grounding her work in the historical, political, and aesthetic intersections of her identity.

Through Diotima, she aims to present a nuanced vision of Caribbean style, blending a forward-looking perspective with the richness of her lived experiences. The brand offers a year-round and seasonally interchangeable wardrobe, crafted between Jamaica and New York.

A significant focus is placed on supporting artisanal communities in Jamaica, with all crochet elements forming the foundation of the collection being made locally. The tailoring features Heritage Tweeds from the UK and Tropical Wools from esteemed Italian mills.

This fusion of materials is complemented by hand embellishments and intricate thread work, emphasizing the importance of craft in each piece.

Diotima seeks to build a new, forging connections between past and present while inviting wearers to embrace a sophisticated, culturally rich wardrobe. Diotima will be presenting at the NYFW on Monday, September 9.