This season, fashion darling Jason Wu made a real effort to go green: invitations for his show at New York Fashion Week were printed on recycled paper, and models were groomed using earth-friendly products that leave a minuscule carbon footprint.
"The entire eco movement is something I’ve always had an interest in," says Wu, "so now it is time to take an active role in ‘greening’ the fashion industry." (Jason Wu, Aveda Trend Report Notes, September 2009.)
The Jason Wu Collection
The main inspiration for the collection was contemporary art, says Wu, with artist Tara Donovan’s installations used as a creative starting point and helping the designer rethink the way he looks at texture. Famous for his one-shouldered gowns and his use of sheer fabrics, Wu's latest styles – smart skirt suits and feathered cocktail dresses – are at once a tribute to a bygone era, and a modern interpretation of traditional womenswear: ladylike yet sexy designs featuring bold stripes and geometrics shapes paired with strong, retro hues such as teal, salmon, and electric blue.
The Elegant Michelle Obama
With sumptuous designs that place an emphasis on elegance, style, and glamour, Jason Wu has come to boast an impressive list of celebrity clients that includes Ivanka Trump, Lucy Liu, Eva Langoria, and January Jones of Mad Men. Wu is also apparently a favourite of Michelle Obama's, according to Harper's Bazaar. (Harper's Bazaar, The Best of New York Fashion Week – Spring 2010.)
The magazine has published several photos of Michelle Obama wearing outfits created by the designer. These include a picture of her stepping off Air Force One in a silk dress by Jason Wu; sporting a black satin Jason Wu opera coat on her way to Buckingham Palace; and finally, the First Lady looking stunning in a daring, white, one-shouldered Jason Wu gown, at the January 2009 inaugural balls.
Fashion Week
For his show at New York Fashion Week, Jason Wu enlisted stylists Odile Gilbert and Dennis Clendennen of Aveda to pair his fashions with extravagant textured chignons adorned with large ribbons. The result is a look that unifies human hair and fibre, nature and artifice.This style can look playful and girly by day, or edgy yet elegant by night. Just like Jason Wu's own designs.
How to Get the Look
- Blow dry hair smooth.
- Work a glossing straightener through hair to achieve a straight, glossy finish. (Try Aveda Smooth Infusion.)
- Separate the hair into front and back sections.
- Create a ponytail with back section of hair.
- Use a 7-foot long piece of sheer, stiff, 6-inch wide ribbon and weave hair and ribbon together against the head, pinning in place as you go and looping the hair to create a voluminous updo.
- Set with a finishing spray.
(Odile Gilbert, Aveda Trend Report Notes, September 2009.)
Sources
- To learn about upcoming beauty trends, visit the Aveda salon nearest you.
- To find out more about Jason Wu, visit the designer's official site.
- To find out about other hot looks seen at New York Fashion Week, read all about Christian Siriano and Yigal Azrouël.
Andree Lachapelle - Andrée reviews books, movies and local events, and brings you essential beauty, fashion, travel and wedding planning tips.
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