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."