The viral mystery
Ever scrolled through a school’s website and thought, ‘wait, are their teachers wearing runway-ready drip?’ That’s exactly what happened when the internet discovered the teachers at Ms Lam Montessori. A screenshot of staff rocking vibrant, plissé dresses in raspberry and cobalt blue hit the Williamsburg subreddit and then X, where it racked up 3.5 million views. People were lowkey losing it, wondering why the preschool staff had such high-end fashion energy.
The reality check
Turns out, the teachers aren't actually wearing Issey Miyake’s famous 'Pleats Please' line. Stephanie Woo, the head of school, cleared the air from Taiwan, explaining that the dresses are actually from a Japanese designer named Yamasaki Takashi. They’re a much more budget-friendly option, costing about a tenth of the price of an authentic Miyake piece.
Woo shared that the uniforms have been a staple at their 14 locations in Taiwan for 12 years and their five Brooklyn spots for eight years. Her mom, the founder of the school, picked them for a reason: they are durable, easy to wash, and keep their color perfectly—which is a major W when you're working with kids aged one to six. Plus, it helps the little ones easily spot their teachers on a busy campus.
Why it matters
Beyond just looking iconic, there’s a philosophy here. Woo believes in surrounding kids with aesthetic environments because they’re in that 'absorbent mind' stage of development. By making beauty a part of their daily routine, they hope to foster a natural appreciation for the world around them. So, while it’s not actually high fashion, the intentionality? It’s giving main character energy.
