Hot on the heels of his sold-out line for Target, Jason Wu is American fashion's designer of the moment. And he didn't disappoint with his Fall 2012 collection at New York’s Fashion Week, which was high-drama with Hollywood special effects.
The show had a cinematic opening, with two large red lacquered doors swinging open at the top of the runway, and models stepping out in a rolling cloud of fog. Wu, who grew up in Taiwan, used Chinese imagery as his inspiration, from the Mao jacket, which he rendered in a gorgeous hammered red satin, to the military green wool cape coat, trimmed in delicate black lace.
The Hollywood version of Chinese glamour in films such as 1932’s "Shanghai Express" was a reference point for strong-shouldered gowns and short cheongsam-style dresses embellished with panels of silk brocade, tassel beading, cording or gold embroidery resembling tiny medallions. And the ending of the show was equally cinematic, with all the models walking out together like one chic red army.