USA: Jason Wu the designer behind Michelle Obama's inauguration dress shows Autumn/Winter 2009 collection

Record ID: 230960

  • Title: USA: Jason Wu the designer behind Michelle Obama's inauguration dress shows Autumn/Winter 2009 collection
  • Date: 14th February 2009
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JANUARY 20, 2009) (U.S. POOL ---REUTERS CONTRIBUTOR) VARIOUS OF MICHELLE OBAMA AND BARACK OBAMA DANCING
  • Embargoed: 1st March 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Fashion,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2JVH9U19C3TLK8K2B8XFOECHB
  • Story Text: Jason Wu, the designer behind Michelle Obama's inauguration dress, features feminine detailed looks for fall 2009.
    The crowds lined up to get in. The models were being coifed and primed for fabulousness. The sense of anticipation was palpable and yet the designer behind all of the excitement was barely known only two months ago.
    All of that changed when the First Lady walked out on stage. In an instant designer Jason Wu's life was changed forever.
    "I was in my apartment with friends eating pizza when we were making a night out of the inauguration," Wu said.
    "We were so excited over it and then all of a sudden I saw Mrs. Obama wearing my dress. I mean I was floored, to say the least and to be a part of history is pretty amazing."
    The inauguration was an event watched by millions of people around the world and provided the kind of exposure young designers can only dream about.
    The 26-year-old Taiwanese-American designer says it has given him the opportunity to consider branching out into other areas like fragrance and accessories.

    "Well, I think having the First Lady wear my dress has catapulted brand awareness. That's something a designer gears for and for a baby business like mine, I'm very fortunate to have that."
    Wu's fall collection featured rich colors like mahogany, violet and chartreuse. The look was decidedly feminine without being girlie. Each garment had an embellishment to make it special whether it be embroidered epaulets on a grey cashmere sheath dress, a chiffon dress with a shadow print or a chartreuse pleated dress with a jet bead embroidered hem. The silhouettes were form fitting at times and fluid at others with the waist often accentuated.
    "The idea of the collection is about beautiful, ethereal clothes that are truly feminine," said Wu.
    "They're inspired by these vintage drawings that I have by Arthur Rakham and he was one of the originators of the fairy tale drawings - all the way back in the victorian times. So, I thought the drawings evoked what I was feeling this season."
    Given Wu's recent experience, it doesn't take a genius to figure out why fairy tales seem in synch with how he's feeling.
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