“Jason’s dress, as you can see, is a masterpiece. It’s simple, it’s elegant, and it comes from this brilliant young mind, someone who is living the American dream,” Obama said. “The countless hours he spent sewing this piece made my night even more special.”
Wu, 27, shot to intrernational fame when his white chiffon creation was worn by Obama to 10 presidential innaugural balls Jan. 20, 2009.
“To say that [Obama] has changed my life is an understatement,” he said. “When I arrived in America, I could never have imagined that one day I would be designing for the first lady.”
“To be standing here at this event is a dream come true. I’ve learned first hand that America is truly the land of opportunity.”
Obama said Wu made himself what he is today through hard work and dedication.
“When Jason was just five years old growing up in Taiwan, his parents would take him to the bridal shops so that he could sketch the gowns in the windows,” she said. “He started making clothes for dolls when he was 16, and after studying under some of the best designers in the world, he opened his own shop four years ago with the money he had saved.”
Adressing high school students in attendence at the ceremony, the first lady said Wu is an inspiration worthy of emulation. “With enough focus and determination, someone in this room could be the next Jason Wu. Someone in this room could be the next Barack Obama.” (PCT-JSM)