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Home · News

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu

It was a fashionable affair at the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball, where the First Lady wore an original design my Jason Wu. Get the lowdown on the dress that marks a lasting fashion moment in history.
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Dressed to Impressed

“First of all, how good-looking is my wife?” asked President Barack Obama at the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. The First Lady dazzled millions wearing a sparkling one-shoulder creation by emerging New York designer Jason Wu.

As Told to Qianna Smith

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
Getty
02
First-Class Style

A new design star, Jason Wu, 26, launched his collection in 2006. Mrs. Obama was first seen wearing a Wu design when she appeared with the President last November on a Barbara Walters special.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
George Burns for ABC News
03
Runway to Reality

“She makes her own rules and that’s what’s so impressive about her,” says Jason Wu of the First Lady’s fashion sense.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
04
A Historic Fashion Moment

The only instructions Jason Wu was given when creating the gown for the First Lady was that it had to “sparkle”. Wu was commissioned by the Chicago boutique Ikram, which didn’t tell him he was designing for the history-making event.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
Jennifer Cooper
05
The Look of Love

Wu played close attention to detail when designing the long, flowing one-shoulder gown. The ruched bodice and full skirt accentuated her tall frame, while the sparkling beads added a touch of romance. The creation will be donated to the Smithsonian Museum.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
Getty
06
Where Fashion Happens

“I wanted to design and that’s all I ever wanted to do, and I’m doing it,” says Wu at his West 37th Street Studio in New York City.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
Jennifer Cooper
07
Young & Talented

Wu attended New York’s prestigious Parsons School of Design and coincidentally interned with Narciso Rodriguez, another fashion favorite of Mrs. Obama. The V-Neck dress pictured is a look from Wu’s spring 2009 collection.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
08
Passion for Fashion

“I want my clothes to make women feel beautiful and I embrace that. I want to bring truly beautifully made clothes back,” shares Wu.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
Jennifer Cooper
09
Priceless

The designer won’t reveal the price of the First Lady’s gown, but the evening gowns in Wu’s spring collection retail on average from $2,900 to $4,700.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
10
A Man at Work

“I wanted [Mrs. Obama’s] dress to be powerful and feminine. It had to be striking and it had to represent hope, and white is like a clean slate,” recalls Wu.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
Jennifer Cooper
11
The Future of Fashion

Since Mrs. Obama emerged on the international fashion radar she has often endorsed new design houses rather than well-known brands. “She’s making a political statement through what she wears and that’s amazing. She is supporting young designers and the future of fashion,” says Wu.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
12
Who Cares About the Label?

Not a label-loving man, Jason Wu dishes to ESSENCE.com Fashion Editor Qianna Smith that, “It’s not about having a designer brand and it’s not about how much anything costs. It’s about having things you can keep over the years that you are going to love in 20 years.”

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
Jennifer Cooper
13
Get the Look

You can recognize a Jason Wu design by the bodice. This off-white tulle gown from his spring collection embodies the elegant simplicity of his inaugural design. The off-the-shoulder white dress that the First Lady wore was embellished with white organza and tons of Swarovski crystals.

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
14
A Design Star Is Born

The man of the moment, Jason Wu received dozens of calls and text messages from friends and family congratulating him when the First Lady was seen at the inaugural ball. One noteworthy message was from actress and Neighborhood Ball attendee Kerry Washington: “I’m looking at the dress and loving it.”

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu
nydailynews.com
15
American Dream

“It’s hard to put it into words how I felt about it. The whole experience was exhilarating. The whole thing is bigger than me; it’s bigger than anything I could have ever hoped for.”

Check out our exclusive interview with design star Jason Wu »

The Man Behind the Gown: Jason Wu

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