PrintWe’re not yet sure what changes Obama’s presidency will bring, but the outlook is pretty rosy for at least one American: Taiwaneseborn, New York-based designer Jason Wu. The 26-year-old was as shocked as anyone when Michelle Obama graced the inaugural balls in a one-shouldered, Swarovski-encrusted white gown of his design. It was a bold move, choosing Wu over traditional first-lady favorites like Oscar de la Renta or Carolina Herrera.
Mrs. Obama’s choice was unexpected, but Wu’s success is anything but surprising. What started as a childhood hobby sketching doll clothes—turned into an important career step when, at age 16, Wu began designing for a purveyor of high-end collectible dolls. A year later, Wu became the creative director of the whole company, balancing his job with classes at Parsons the New School for Design and an internship with Narciso Rodriguez.
Wu launched his womenswear line barely three years ago, but he has already charmed fashion darlings like Leighton Meester and Joy Bryant with his ladylike, sophisticated dresses. His talent hasn’t escaped critical notice, and in the last year, he received both Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award and a Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund Award nomination. Even after receiving all of these accolades, our fashion wunderkind shows no signs of stopping—this spring, Wu plans to expand his line with a capsule collection called The Exclusives as well as a small fur collection. Watch for Wu’s new enterprises, along with his namesake line, during New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this February.