Dear Santa: Jason Wu's Holiday Give and Get List

By Nandini D'Souza
December 10, 2010

Jason Wu Our Series on What Today's Top Style Makers Plan to Give—and Hope to Get!—for the Holidays

Frills, flou and femininity. Fashion designer Jason Wu is known for all of these. This stylemaker also known for dressing some of the most stylish (and stylishly powerful) women in the world. His list of fans is enviable, especially for such a young designer—he only launched his eponymous line in 2006. There's the most noted Wu Woman, Michelle Obama, who changed not only the course of Wu's career but also the course of the White House's sartorial leanings. Then there's the gaggle of pretty young things who all seem to make Jason Wu's distinctively arty-pretty look their own, from fashion expert Alexa Chung and actress Reese Witherspoon to Natalie Portman, Diane Kruger, Michelle Williams and fashion's current obsession, model-slash-actress Elisa Sednaoui—and that's just a smattering of fashionable celebrities who’ve worn Jason Wu clothing in the last three months.

But rather than ride the fumes of that famous one-shouldered inaugural gown, designer Jason Wu, who won this year's CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear, keeps pushing himself and growing his designer collection and brand. In September, he debuted his first fashion designer accessories collection during Spring 2011 Fashion Week. The four shoe and three bag designer styles are made in Italy with the same kind of detailing Jason Wu pours into his clothing line. “It was important to me that each piece be made as beautiful inside as out,” he told us. “I wanted to design a collection that combined a little bit of bourgeois attitude with the ease of American sportswear.” Spring 2011 also introduced a capsule collection of nail polish in collaboration with CND. It includes the soft pink Brigitte, the blood red Veronica, a mushroom Sophia and the signature Miss Wu, an uber chic grey-beige. (There's also the Anna Effect, a top layer than can be added for texture.)

Jason Wu Fashion

Jason Wu Resort

Miss Wu nail polish pulls together the colors of the Jason Wu accessories collection, showing up on the soles of shoes and the silk grosgrain lining of bags. Miss Wu the character, a charming, cheeky owl, is also Wu’s de facto muse. “I love that the owl is a bit playful and whimsical, calling out a familiar sound ‘Wu…wuuuu,’” he said. “I think this is carried over in my collection. I put a lot of effort and thoughtfulness into the construction of every garment but I want my designs to also have a lighthearted side as well. Fashion should be fun, after all!” Miss Wu the owl is also a nod to all those hours Jason Wu and his creative team log in. “Our best ideas come late at night.”

Looking ahead to 2011, fashion designer Jason Wu isn't slowing down. In January, his first bridal collection will hit Net-A-Porter exclusively. Jason Wu will no doubt also spend time on his blog, a fun mix of fashionable celebrities wearing Jason Wu designs (called VIPs in Wu), brand news (check back for a trunk show near you) or those random tidbits of information that provide Jason Wu’s fans with a peek inside what inspires him, like checking out a performance by singer Robyn, illustrations by artist René Gruau or weekends spent vintage-hunting (mostly for owl jewelry, it turns out) in New York's Hudson Valley. As is de rigeur for all young designers, it all ends up posted on his Facebook page, too, where his fans happily like every new pic or post.

But for at least the next few weeks, fashion designer jason Wu, born in Taiwan and raised in Canada, is getting ready to spread a little holiday cheer in his Manhattan studio. “This is the first year I am doing a tree in the studio,” he said. “It's all-white and I found some great owl ornaments and also some beautiful glass ones. It's been fun to shop for.” He'll also be putting his considerable hosting skills to the test. “I love spending time with friends—they are my family away from home,” he said. “I love trying out new recipes and hosting intimate dinners at home.” He's also a bit of a bartender. “I've come up with some pretty good drinks over the years. One of my favorite books is Vintage Cocktails by Brian Van Flandern. It's got great recipes. I love serving these in these '70s Pierre Cardin tumblers that my dad gave me.”

(images courtesy of Jason Wu)

What Jason Wu Plans to Give (and Hopes to Get) This Holiday Season

Roll over items for details

Owls

Cook Books

John Derian

Art Books

60s Harpers Bazaar Magzines

Vintage Vogue

Dear Santa: Jason Wu's Holiday Give and Get List

GIVING:

1. Anything Owl-Related

2. Collectible Horse Figurines: "My father collects them. Horse riding is one of his favorite pastimes."

3. Antique Christmas Ornaments: "I like to give them to my friend Jennifer, who has a tree trimming party every year."

4. Cookbooks: "My mother is an avid cook and I like to buy her a few cookbooks every year."

5. Vintage Watches: "For my CFO Gustavo Rangel—he collects watches, so it's always fun to find interesting vintage watches on eBay."

GETTING :

6. '50s Vintage Chair: "There is something quite modern about furniture from this era, especially when displayed in a industrial setting."

7. Vintage Jewelry: "The colors I find in old gems can inspire the tones of new collections."

8. Art Books: "I am always adding to my book collection. I just built a new wall of bookshelves in my office."

9. John Derian Home Decor: "I love anything from John Derian."

10. Vintage Vogue Magazines and '60s Harpers Bazaar Magazines: "I love collecting vintage magazines. I especially enjoy looking through old sketches that they used in ads."