Teachers at a Montessori school in Brooklyn, New York, have gone viral after their colourful pleated uniforms were mistaken for expensive Issey Miyake designs. But the outfits are actually school-provided uniforms from a more affordable brand called Yamasaki Takashi, chosen for their practicality when working with young children.
The fashion mystery began on Tuesday, 6 October, when a resident noticed that teachers at Ms. Lam Montessori appeared to be wearing pieces from the Japanese designer's iconic Pleats Please collection. The observation sparked widespread curiosity, prompting the school to reveal the story behind its distinctive dress code.
Why Everyone Thought the Teachers Were Wearing Issey Miyake
The viral discussion began with a post titled 'Issey Miyake Kindergarten?' in a Williamsburg community forum. The original poster asked why school employees appeared to wear expensive designer clothing every day. 'Is it a uniform? I'm confused and a bit jealous,' the resident wrote.
Photographs from the school's website and Instagram account showed educators wearing coordinated pleated dresses, colourful tops and loose-fitting silhouettes resembling Miyake's signature designs. Some commenters wondered whether the school had a special arrangement with the Japanese fashion house. Others questioned whether the images were even real.
The school's tuition fees added another dimension to the speculation. According to its official website, full-day tuition for toddler and primary programmes costs $39,500 (£29,800) annually for the 2026–27 academic year, while its elementary programme costs $43,500 (£32,900). Those figures prompted online questions about whether the school was spending thousands on designer wardrobes for its staff.
The Uniforms Are Actually From a Different Brand
Ms. Lam Montessori addressed the speculation on Thursday, 8 October, confirming that its teachers were wearing Yamasaki Takashi rather than Issey Miyake. The brand specialises in pleated garments featuring architectural silhouettes and lightweight fabrics. Its history traces back to a studio established in Tokyo's Harajuku district in 1976, while its current retail presence includes locations across Taiwan.
Selected Yamasaki Takashi garments retail for approximately NT$1,273 (£30) to NT$4,777 (£113), considerably less than many pieces from Miyake's Pleats Please collection. The Japanese designer developed the collection in the early 1990s, combining distinctive pleating techniques with clothing designed for everyday movement. Ms. Lam Montessori said it selected its own uniforms for similarly practical reasons.
'Our teachers kneel, carry, pour, and move with children all day,' the school explained in an Instagram statement. It said the garments resist wrinkles and stains while maintaining their appearance through years of classroom use. The pleated fabrics also allow teachers to move comfortably between activities without constantly adjusting their clothing.
Why the School Wants Teachers To Dress This Way
Stephanie Woo, head of Ms. Lam Montessori, explained that the uniforms reflect the school's approach to early childhood education. 'Children love beautiful things just like adults do,' she said, describing how young pupils absorb details from their surroundings. The school considers its teachers' appearance part of the carefully prepared classroom environment, alongside furniture, learning materials and natural elements.
The practice originated with Woo's mother, Ms Lam, who introduced uniforms at her schools in Taiwan approximately 12 years ago. Woo brought the concept to Brooklyn around eight years ago but allowed greater freedom in colours and styles. The uniform requirement applies to staff working with children under six, while the consistent appearance also helps younger pupils identify trusted adults when they need assistance.
Interestingly, genuine Issey Miyake clothing is not entirely absent from the classrooms. Woo revealed that one teacher, a former model, had asked permission to wear pieces from her personal Pleats Please collection to work. As Woo recalled, the educator joked, 'I'm changing diapers, wearing my Issey,' confirming that at least one of the school's unexpectedly fashionable outfits really does carry the designer label.
