What is fashion to you?
Fashion is about looking and feeling comfortable and at ease in what you’re wearing. As a designer, I constantly aim to move fashion forward and test the boundaries.
When did you first realise that you wanted to be a designer?
When I was nine years old, I was already making patterns, sketching, and sewing – that’s where the fashion bug first bit me! By the time I went to Paris to study art, my career goals were certain.
Which designers inspired you growing up?
Charles James and Jacques Fath.
You’re still only 27 – are you intimidated by the industry as a whole or any one part of it?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the competition, particularly among young designers. I hope my work speaks for itself; after all, it’s all about creating beautiful clothes.
You’ve proved (with the help of Michelle Obama) that dressing for politics doesn’t have to mean boring suits and shapeless shift dresses – when you first came up with the design for her dress, did you do a lot of research on past ‘politico’ fashion?
Not at all. Designing her inauguration dress was about creating something that symbolised hope, beauty, and a fresh start for our country.
How did it feel when you saw her wearing it? Do you think you will look back on it as a significant moment in your career…
Absolutely – it was a major turning point in my own life as well as in American history. Mrs Obama looked incredible, so confident and elegant. Many hours of work went into that one dress, but the second she stepped out onto the stage, I knew it had all been worth it.
Are you concerned about your clothes becoming pigeon-holed; that your princess-style of dresses may define how you are perceived as a designer?
I am constantly experimenting with new styles, shapes and silhouettes. Slouchy fold-over trousers featured heavily in my autumn 2010 collection, and I played with uniform and aviator-inspired design details for pre-autumn. I’ve definitely been trying out new looks.
You’re nominated for the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear – how does it feel?
It is such an honour not only to be recognised for my work by the CFDA, but also to be included among such a talented pool of nominees. I am thrilled!
Your SS10 ready-to-wear collection has been described as a ‘confident leap forward’ – do you think this is true and what was your inspiration behind it?
I definitely took more design risks for that season than ever before. I worked in lots of bold, unusual colours –mustard, bright red, and fuchsia, for instance – and used fabrics with unexpected textures and finishes.
In light of the recession, we’ve seen the prominent emergence of more pared-down, classic pieces in fashion, was this something you considered when designing your AW10 collection?
I have always had such an appreciation for fashion’s classics. Beautifully made pieces that are chic and versatile – gorgeous coats, perfectly fitted sheaths and tailored blazers – are always safe buys, so I included lots of great outerwear and day-to-day basics for autumn 2010.
What are your plans for the future (store openings, collaborations, diffusion lines, styling any more celebrities or presidents’ wives…)?
I’m gradually working on building a lifestyle brand – including accessories – and I also have quite a few collaborations in the pipeline. I’d eventually love to tackle menswear as well. Watch this space!
Jason Wu; www.jasonwustudio.com.
