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
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.
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.
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.
