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Profile | From dressing Barbie to Michelle Obama, Jason Wu, fashion designer, on how he talked his way into the industry

  • A Taiwan farmer’s son, Wu emigrated to Canada with his mother as a child and, with her support, found his calling early sewing garments for his doll collection
  • After talking his way into the fashion industry, Wu dressed Michelle Obama and other celebrities. He reflects with Kate Whitehead on his incredible journey

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Taiwan-born, New York-based fashion designer Jason Wu made clothes for his Barbie dolls as a child, but after talking his way into the fashion industry, ended up dressing none other than Michelle Obama. Photo: Jayme Thornton

I was born in Taiwan in 1982. My dad was in agriculture and my mum was in the restaurant industry and, with my older brother, Kevin, we lived outside Taipei. When I was five, Kevin and I went to a toy store with our parents. Kevin went for the Nintendos and Transformers and I made a beeline for the doll section.

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That’s when my parents realised, “Hey, this kid is different.” I think they were confused, but they loved me and decided that if that’s what I wanted that’s what I’d get, and I came out of the store with a Barbie doll.

I wasn’t the best at school, but the most alarming thing was I was bad at maths, which wasn’t great in a traditional Asian education system. I started taking music and arts classes outside school.

Under different circumstances I wouldn’t be me, I’d be someone else, and quite possibly someone who isn’t his true self. I think my parents were aware of the talents I have, and they fostered what I was leaning towards.

Jason Wu celebrating an early birthday with his mother.
Jason Wu celebrating an early birthday with his mother.

Amazing Muriel

School was very regimented, and it was clear I was not going to thrive there, so when I was 10 my mum emigrated to Canada with me and my brother so we could go to school there. My dad didn’t move with us.

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