David Chu (designer)

David Chu (designer)
For other people named David Chu, see David Chu (disambiguation).
David Chu
Born Chu Hsin-chi (朱欽騏)
1955 (age 55–56)
Taiwan
Alma mater Fashion Institute of Technology
Occupation Fashion designer
Known for Founder of Nautica

David Chu, born Chu Hsin-chi (Chinese: 朱欽騏; pinyin: Zhū Qīnqí) in 1955, is a Taiwanese American fashion designer best known as the founder of Nautica, a men's designer outerwear company.

Contents

Early life and education

Chu's family immigrated from Taiwan to the United States in the 1960s and opened a Chinese restaurant. He grew up in New York and Connecticut and originally planned to become an architect.[1] While taking a summer drawing class at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a professor suggested that Chu try designing clothes after seeing his drawing skills.[2] Chu later graduated from FIT,[3] and was named its STAR alumni in 1996.[4]

Career

Chu returned home to Taipei to start an export business with friends, but they lost all their money in one and a half years. He then returned to USA, working under a large company, he designed jackets, taking the inspiration from sailor's coats. Barneys and Bloomingdales had good sales for the designs and in 1983 Nautica was born. The company had sales of $700,000 in its first year and $2.5 million the following year.[1]

In 2003, Chu sold the company for $1 billion to VF Corporation. He made $100 million from the sale.[1] Retirement did not suit Chu. After a couple of weeks playing golf and traveling, the designer jumped back into the fashion fray. Chu promptly purchased an 1846 townhouse in Manhattan's Flatiron district, gut-renovated the historic mansion and turned it into his design studio, showroom and offices.

In 2006, he created the exclusive David Chu Bespoke line, offering custom suits hand-made in Italy with fabrics from the world's finest mills.[5] The bespoke line is available in a richly-appointed atelier located in the penthouse of the "Townhouse".

Recently, he started another label, a designer sportswear collection called "LINCS by David Chu" that offers a modern take on tradition and the well-lived life.[4] Currently, LINCS can be found in select Dillard's, Nordstrom. The BAY Oakridge in Vancouver, and other specialty stores.[6]

In 2007, Chu was named executive creative director at upscale luggage and accessories maker Tumi, Inc.[7] As of fall 2008 he was released from this role.

In July 2009, Chu launched a strategic partnership with golf legend Jack Nicklaus to develop the Nicklaus brands worldwide under a unified creative direction.[8]

Personal life

Chu resides in New York City.

References

  1. ^ a b c Tim Smart (2005-09-25). "Taking a New Tack: Nautica founder David Chu embarks on a more upscale fashion voyage". U.S.News & World Report. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/051003/3chu.htm. 
  2. ^ Javier Mateo (2004). "David Chu for Nautica: Glamour in Simplicity". FashionWindows. http://www.fashionwindows.com/fashion/nautica/default.asp. 
  3. ^ Noted FIT Alumni. Fashion Institute of Technology. Accessed 3 January 2010.
  4. ^ a b "CFDA Member Profile: David Chu". Council of Fashion Designers of America. http://www.cfda.com/index.php?option=com_cfda_content&task=members_display&user_name=DavidChu. 
  5. ^ David Chu at Luxist.com
  6. ^ LINCS by David Chu: Retail Locations
  7. ^ Helen Walters (January 24, 2007). "Tumi's New Itinerary: With Nautica founder David Chu at the creative helm, the luggage maker eyes growth through a complementary market: women’s accessories". Business Week. http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jan2007/id20070124_800276.htm. 
  8. ^ Jean Scheidnes (July 17, 2009). "David Chu and Jack Nicklaus Team Up". WWD.com Men's Wear News. http://www.wwd.com/menswear-news/david-chu-and-jack-nicklaus-team-up-2214152/. 

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • David Chu — may refer to: David Chu (designer), founder of Nautica, a men s designer outerwear company David S. C. Chu, former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness See also David Chiu (poker player) David Chiu (politician), president… …   Wikipedia

  • Chu (surname) — Chu (), also denoted Zhu (according to Zhū in Pinyin) in Mainland China, is one of the most common surnames in China, with a population of over ten million. It was the “empire’s surname” during the Ming Dynasty. Chu is now the 13th most common… …   Wikipedia

  • David Adjaye — Born 1966 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Nationality British Awards RIBA Bronze Medal for Part 1 Students Work Buildings …   Wikipedia

  • Chronology — 50,000 BCE The first prehistoric human, Cro Magnon man, learned to survive in cold climates by fashioning clothing out of animal skins, tree bark, and foliage. Paleolithic cave paintings such as those found in Lascaux, France, indicate that early …   Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry

  • List of Taiwanese Americans — This is a list of notable Taiwanese Americans.List Art and design * Doug Chiang, movie designer and artist * Christine Wang, architect, curator, artist, founder of Wang Museum of Technology WangMuseum.org Business * Fred Chang, founder of… …   Wikipedia

  • Fashion Institute of Technology — infobox University name=Fashion Institute of Technology established=1944 city= New York City mascot= TigerThe Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a State University of New York college of art and design located in New York City, New York,… …   Wikipedia

  • Nautica — (1953 )    Taiwanese born David Chu found his way into the fashion business via his architecture studies where one of his teachers at the Fashion Institute of Technology saw his potential as a fashion designer. In 1993, after an unsuccessful… …   Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry

  • Nautica (clothing company) — Nautica Industry Apparel/Clothing/Fashion Founded 1983 Founder(s) David Chu Headquarters New York, New York Products Men s, Women s, Children s Apparel Accessories, Home, Fragrance …   Wikipedia

  • arts, East Asian — Introduction       music and visual and performing arts of China, Korea, and Japan. The literatures of these countries are covered in the articles Chinese literature, Korean literature, and Japanese literature.       Some studies of East Asia… …   Universalium

  • List of Chinese Americans — This is a list of notable Chinese Americans, who are famous, have made significant contributions to the American culture or society politically, artistically or scientifically, or have appeared in the news numerous times. ListArt and design* Alan …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”