Home-grown talent Wu's America

George Wu is accustomed to doing things in reverse.
When he first launched his eponymous womenswear label in 2004, the Queensland based designer didn't slowly tip away at the local market like most sensible designers - he battered it.
Within the first two days of the collections' release, Wu managed to draw an order from Brisbane boutique 'Kisses'; a high profile store which stocks the likes of Stella McCartney, Colette Dinnigan and Willow.
Now, three years on, the designer looks set to switch cards on the department store front too.
Although he has yet to get a look in from either David Jones or Myer, Wu has managed to tweak the interest of US giants Neiman Marcus and Barneys.
Wu said he has been in talks with both department stores since they made an appointment to view his range at the recent Australia Week in New York.
"The buyers have expressed strong interest in stocking the label and have promised to view the range again the following season," he confirmed. "Our aim is to build our reputation over in US and hopefully seeing our products hang next to US designers."
While his participation at Australia Week also scored him a string of clients throughout New York and Los Angeles - including Big Drop and Cantaloup boutique - he said it was never his intention to participate in the first place.
Initially heading there to take part in a photographic exhibition, Wu said he changed gears at the last minute.
"After all the preparation and hard work...[we] sent our collection to New York, showed the production manager from the FORD model agency and they loved the range so much they asked us to do a runway show instead."
Wu said the challenge now facing him has less to do with logistics and more to do with imagination.
"The only lesson I need to learn is to balance the fine point between creativity and wearability. Americans are very simple dressed and no fuss kind of customers, very minimal and very New York City."
As a participant of the recent Rosemount Australian Fashion Week for spring/summer 2007, Wu said his next goal was to build his domestic client base while furthering his growth in the international market.
"Hopefully, through this event we'll be able to establish our label into the next level, export is already on the way, Europe will be on our next target list."

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