Launch a line of doll clothing at age 16? Check. Be named creative director of Integrity Toys at age 17? Check. Start eponymous ready-to-wear-line, design Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown/Vogue cover
outfit and win Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award, all before turning
27? Check, check, check.
So reads the resumé of Jason Wu, the fashion world wunderkind who has
done more in a quarter century than most people do in a lifetime (better get
cracking, Tavi!).
The Taipei-born, New England-bred designer has been
infatuated with fashion from a very early age (and began sewing at 9), so it’s
no surprise that he hit the ground running. Wu studied sculpture in Tokyo at the tender age of 14, spent
his senior year of high school in Paris and studied fashion design at Parsons,
where he interned with Narciso Rodriguez before debuting his own collection of polished, ladylike looks in 2006.
Wu’s spring 2010 collection was his best to date, full of
shapely skirts and feathered frocks – many sculpted right on the models’
bodies, in homage to artist Tara Donovan – and it certainly was a hit with
Amanda Peet, Kerry Washington, Becki Newton and his other A-list fans (what,
you thought the First Lady was the only trendsetter Wu has wooed?).
The Fashion Informer caught up with the soft-spoken
epicurean - just after it was announced that he would be designing a Tse fall
2010 capsule collection - to get the lowdown on his love of architecture, his purr-ferred
companions, and the other kind of pins he excels at playing with.
So, Jason…
What’s
your favorite getaway spot?
Turks & Caicos.
I know
you like to cook – why do you enjoy it, and what's your signature dish?
I love the creative process of cooking, and enjoy trying
out new recipes. My favorite thing to make is an apple pie.
What
did you do last weekend?
I went to a wedding, had poker night at my apartment and
caught up on TV.
Brunch:
pro or con?
Pro, but only if it’s after 1:30.
What’s
your favorite mode of transportation?
Walking.
What's on your screensaver?
It’s a picture of my cats.
What
form of art – music, film, books, painting – do you feel most connected to?
I’m a big architecture buff. I really appreciate the
clean lines and details of a beautiful building. And we’re just now selecting
furniture and accent pieces for our new studio - we move next month - so I have
been getting really into the whole interior decorating process as well.
Where do
you feel most at home?
In my studio.
When
it comes to home décor, are you more about form or function?
I like a little bit of both - and love mixing classic
pieces with utilitarian accents.
Tell
me about your pet(s).
I have two cats, Peaches and Jinxy - they are my kids.
Who do
you consider the most underrated fashion designer, living or dead?
Geoffrey Beene.
Do you
have any hidden or unusual talents?
I’m really good at Wii bowling.
What
freaks you out?
A messy room.
When
are you happiest?
When I’m putting a collection together. I thrive on the
creative energy.
Photo by Kevin Sturman
Stay
tuned for Random Questions For…Tess Giberson
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