Jason Wu Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2013

The models that wore Jason Wu’s new ss2013 collection could have walked out of a Helmut Newton-picture. And the photographer was indeed one of Wu’s inspirations for this collection. So that means lots of leather and lace and sexy clothes, nude and black with leather harnesses, black net veils and deep red lipstick.

A point d’esprit bra ­— Wu collaborated with La Perla on the innerwear pieces — topped a short flounced leather skirt with laser-cut embroidery; a sleeveless white blouse with black lace inserts went with leather shorts. Wu softened the look a bit with lace blouses and cigarette trousers, and sheer and severe dresses.

Jason Wu Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2012

For the first time Jason Wu took his heritage – Asia – as a theme for his collection. Fall 2012 is all about Mao meets the Qing dynasty and Shanghai Express. Luckily no cliche-clothes, but a savvy and sophisticated collection. A belted, army green puffy jacket was quilted at the shoulders with a black lace overlay everywhere else except the big military pockets. Opulent embroideries, fur sleeves and collars gave the sharp tailoring a regal air. Variations on the cheongsam dress were beautiful precision-cut sheaths, some with alluring keyhole necklines, others with lavish embroideries. For evening, Wu recharged a Golden Age glamour silhouette with a strong shoulder, high neck and lean skirt that draped around the body with a dramatic slit.

Jason Wu Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2012

He is known for his glamorous red carpet looks, but for summer 2012 Jason Wu gave his collection some extra street credibility. He combined fully buttoned shirts with sexy high waisted shorts, airy skirts (short in the front, long in the back) and ultra-thin parka’s.

The designs looked young, but still very sophisticated. Attention was paid to details and every look was right from head to toe. Wu used some black, white, grey, blue, pink and yellow and managed to get the most stunning color combinations out of those shades. He came up with a print too; a flower-petal print (for which he collaborated with artist KAWS) which could be seen throughout the whole show.

The shirts had all kinds of different beaded collars, which added an extra touch of luxury and are of course very on trend. Small belts, long earrings, colorful satchel bags, bold sandals, red lips and nails completed the picture.

On our NYFW wishlist so far:
one lightweight parka (grey)
one transparent shirt with beaded collar
Thank you.

 

 

Jason Wu Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2011

The army of press and photographers at the catwalkshows of Jason Wu grows every season bigger and bigger. Since Michelle Obama put the designs of this young designer in the international spotlights, his shows are one of the most anticipated of New York. This time the setting was a runway made of gilded mirrors and grandiose chandeliers in glass boxes decorating the room. And it was the perfect stage for his new fall winter collection where baroque met sportswear in a very elegant, daring way. Lace never looked so fresh.

Wu’s polished and ladylike look had a more urban vibe. The designer put a big emphasis on tailoring. He opened with a charcoal gray coat flung over the shoulders of a cropped jacket, printed blouse, and slim black slacks. Instead of an average flannel coat this one came with a strip of black lace down each sleeve.It was followed by prim, high-collared silk blouses with frilled collars and delicate bows at the closure and a virginal white dress with dainty lace overlay. For cocktail and evening Jason Wu came up with his signature tulipdresses and ravishing columndresses.

Wu made lace an integral part of this collection. Sometimes little bits of lace were embroidered onto blouses or A-line, slightly above-the-knee skirts and he engineered it to look like a print. The designer went all the baroque way by adding dense clusters of colorful stones at lace embroideries, even the hair got a gold-leaf pigment. Black and nude were the main colors, spiced up by blue, red and green.

Jason Wu Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

Jason Wu presented a strong collection focused at tailoring. He opened the show with a sleeveless top-with-bow and a pair of high-waisted pants. Smartly cut lean trousers appeared in several different colors and were paired with ladylike blouses or neat striped knits. Jackets, too, were elongated.  His evening-wear was colorful and had lots of sex-appeal. His lady like woman likes to play it loud in the evening!

CFDA-Awards 2010

The CFDA-awards are considered to be the Oscars of the international fashionworld and is organised by the Council of Fashion designers of America. It’s one of the hottest tickets on the fashion calendar, and the awards are much coveted.

The Swarovski Awards, which are given to emerging talent, went to Jason Wu favourite of Michelle Obama.  He fought off competition from Joseph Altuzara and Prabal Gurung who won in the womenswear category. Richard Chai landed the menswear prize and Alexander Wang received the award for accessories.

The biggest prize of the night, Womenswear Designer of the Year, was won by Marc Jacobs. Christopher Bailey picked up the International Designer of the Year Prize.

There were also some special awards handed out. Michael Kors, the only winner to receive a standing ovation, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Anna Wintour. Legendary model Iman was given the Fashion Icon Award.

Sarah Jessica Parker, who was wearing an Alexander McQueen-dress hand-picked for her by the label’s new head of design, Sarah Burton led a tribute to the late, great designer.  She was followed by a parade of some of McQueen’s most iconic designs.

Jason Wu Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2010

Everybody talked about Jason Wu’s inspiration, photographer Irving Penn, but you better ignore that. The designer just wanted to do something different than the princess-like clothes he’s famous for thanks to Michele Obama. So Wu took a good look at menswear – that’s where the personal style of Penn comes along – and morphed influences into pretty womenswear with a mannish touch. He presented short sleeved jackets, oversized cashmere coats,  mohair sweaters and fold-over pants. The overall look had an appealing, relaxed sensibility. Grey, black, white and blue were the main colors with splashes of mustard, orange, yellow, golden and green.

In the end Wu just couldn’t resist to design a few real princess-dresses, just for the fun of it. I’m sure a few of those will return sooner or later at the White House or some red-carpet event.

Jason Wu Catwalk Fashion Show SS10

Jason Wu is the young designer who got famous because of Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown and her sleeveless shift dresses in juicy citrus tones. For summer 2010 he  sent silk tweed pants and silk tweed hoodies down his runway in the  gilded banquet room of the St. Regis Hotel New York. He added a little dose of downtown grittiness with trendy jumpsuits he called ‘mechanic’ suits. He tried to avoid being too edgy by using marabou feathers and presenting glossy cocktail dresses. And let’s not forget his special client: the staple stitch embroidery on fitted tweed dresses and the sculpted faille dresses had plenty of East Wing potential. Wu even accessorized most of the dresses with heavy leather belts, a nod to his favorite First Lady.