Jason Wu
United States
Jason Wu is a New York womenswear label founded by the Canadian designer Jason Wu, born in Taiwan,, who debuted his ready to wear in 2006. It became widely known for the gowns worn by Michelle Obama and now extends into beauty, handbags and home through licensing.
| Founded | 2006 (ready to wear debut) |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jason Wu |
| Headquarters | New York, United States |
| Segment | Luxury and designer houses |
| Hugo Boss role | Art director, womenswear, 2013 to 2018 |
| Beauty line | Launched 2020 |
| Website | jasonwustudio.com |
What is Jason Wu?
Jason Wu is an American luxury womenswear house based in New York, built around the designer of the same name. The company presents itself as American luxury that blends sportswear with couture craftsmanship, and it offers a signature collection alongside a contemporary line.
History
Jason Wu, a Canadian designer born in Taiwan in 1982, launched his ready to wear label in 2006. His profile rose sharply after Michelle Obama wore a white chiffon gown of his design to the 2009 inaugural balls, followed by a ruby red velvet and chiffon gown for the 2013 balls. From 2013 to 2018 he served as art director of Hugo Boss, overseeing the entire womenswear range alongside his own label.
Products and positioning
- Collection: the signature Jason Wu Collection and a contemporary line covering dresses, tops, outerwear, knitwear, skirts and trousers.
- Miss Wu: a diffusion line launched with Nordstrom in 2013.
- Beauty: Jason Wu Beauty, a clean make up and skincare line, launched in 2020.
- Home: kitchen and bath products with Brizo.
Business model and distribution
The brand is sold globally through department stores, specialty retailers and its own online shop. Licensing is an important part of the model: by 2024 a licensing and distribution agreement with Concept One Accessories covered handbags and small leather goods, which the brand had previously produced in house. The company's website lists JWU LLC as the operating entity, and the wider ownership structure is not publicly documented in the sources used here.
Why it matters
Jason Wu is a prominent example of a designer brand whose reach grew through a few highly visible moments and was then extended through partnerships. His 2013 to 2018 role at Hugo Boss, held alongside his own label, also gave him a place in a major European womenswear business.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jason Wu?
Jason Wu is a Canadian designer born in Taiwan who founded his New York womenswear label in 2006. He designed gowns worn by Michelle Obama and was art director of Hugo Boss womenswear from 2013 to 2018.
Is Jason Wu a luxury brand?
Jason Wu positions itself as American luxury, with a signature collection and a contemporary line. It also extends into licensed categories such as handbags, beauty and home.