
Michelle Obama's favourite designer Jason Wu joins Hugo Boss
Jason Wu, the designer behind both of Michelle Obama's Inauguration ball gowns, has been named the artistic director of Boss womenswear.
The Taiwanese-born, New York-based designer will assume responsibility
and creative direction for all products and image-related aspects of
Hugo Boss's principle womsnwear ready-to-wear and accessory lines.
Jason, who founded his eponymous line in 2007, is best known for dressing America's First Lady for both of her husband President Obama's Inaugural Balls.
In 2009, he fashioned for her a stunning ivory gown, while in 2013, she
wore his patriotic red chiffon and velvet gown. Jason didn't know that
she was planning to wear one of his designs on either occasion, and only
found out when he saw her on television, taking to Twitter to express
his excitement. "#inshock!!!# he tweeted.
He later added, "Mrs Obama likes to keep her secrets. She fooled me again!"
In addition to continuing to work on his own label, Jason will oversee
the Hugo Boss team at their studio in Metzingen, Germany, and will open a
secondary design studio for the storied brand in New York.
"I have long been a fan of Hugo Boss's vast tradition and lineage in extraordinary tailoring," said Jason in a statement.
"With the state-of-the-art facilities that are unique to the Hugo Boss
design labs, I plan to develop a strong, feminine womenswear collection
that reciprocates the brand's authority in menswear."
The 30-year-old's creation will first be seen in the pre-Fall 2014 Boss
collection, and he will stage his first catwalk show for the brand at
February 2014's New York Fashion Week.
Claus Dietrich Lahrs, CEO of Hugo Boss, said he was delighted to have
such an "outstanding talent on board" and he hopes that Jason will
"generate a powerful and creative statement for Boss Womenswear."