PENULTIMATE

Turning craftsmanship that cannot be mass-produced into the defining character of a garment.

Founded in New York by Parsons graduate Shan Gao, PENULTIMATE is known for its experimental approach to fashion, translating labor-intensive, handmade techniques that cannot be replicated through mass production into distinctive garments. Gao previously worked as a knitwear designer at Calvin Klein 205W39NYC during Raf Simons’ tenure. In 2025, PENULTIMATE was also selected as a semifinalist for the LVMH Prize.