Jason Wu with Jessica Stam
Paris Fashion Week presented us with a lot of opportunities to get up-close with fashion designers. Like New York-based Jason Wu, who has designed for fashionable First Lady Michelle Obama. Sleek caught up with him for a quick chat on the occasion of his ongoing collaboration with luxury online retailer Montaigne Market.
Tell us about your partnership of sorts with Montaigne Market. How did it come about? I’ve been working with Montaigne Market for the past five years, almost since the beginning of my career.
What is the current collection about? For Spring /Summer 2013 I was inspired by the provocative, erotically- charged imagery of photographer Helmut Newton and the soft, dream-like photos by photographer Lillian Bassman. The works of both photographers are centered on the female form – and I liked the tension created by the hardness of Newton’s imagery when contrasted with the gentle forms in Bassman’s work.
How has your Fall Winter collection, shown a few weeks ago in New York, evolved from the Spring Summer collection? The Fall Winter collection is a bit stronger, tougher. The emphasis was on an ultra feminine, almost 40’s-esque shape.
Were the seasons necessarily related? A sexy, confident, and sophisticated elegance is the evolutionary theme from Spring to Fall.
What’s your one pick from the current collection? I love the black silk chiffon “harness” dress-it defines the mood of the spring collection.
And what about for Fall/Winter? For Fall, I would pick leather and silk fil coupe pleated halter flounce dress. It is architectural in its cut but also very feminine because the colour blocking is created using tightly pleated fabric.
Can we expect to see more of you in Paris from now on? Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world. I always love visiting Paris and will continue as I am constantly inspired by the rich history and culture.
If you had to choose a color for the Spring, what would it be? Hot Pink.
Interview by Ria de Borja