Jason Wu: The Art of Fashion | San Francisco City Hall Photography

I had the incredible opportunity this past week to attend and photograph a runway show by famed designer Jason Wu.

The event, titled Jason Wu: The Art of Fashion, was hosted by the San Francisco Opera Guild and Neiman Marcus – Union Square in San Francisco’s iconic City Hall. I was there in my capacity as Editorial Director of TaiwaneseAmerican.org, so I got to simultaneously utilize my event photography experience and indulge in a seriously inspiring night of glamour and fashion.

Here we are before the event in front of City Hall with our Administrative Director Kristina Lin and Founder Ho Chie Tsai.

The runway show was preceded by a champagne reception in the Rotunda.

We were halfway through some hors d’oeuvres when Kristina looked at me with an urgency in her eyes… spotted: Jason Wu walking by.

And then it was time for the fashion show. The lights dimmed against the stark white runway as the music dramatically set the stage. The first model came out in a full trench packed with luxe detailing like oversized fur pockets and tones of black on black.

The first several looks in the collection stayed within blacks, whites, and greys, all with very strong silhouettes and playing with various textures and weights and stunning details.

It was a pleasant shock to the senses to see the first bold pop of color walk down the runway in this red and sheer striped top.

The leather racerback is a perfect example of the strength and elegance that runs throughout Jason Wu’s collection.

And then it was on to the full length gown silhouettes that made Jason Wu famous as Michelle Obama’s selections for the inaugural ball.

And the finale piece of the night– a vibrant indigo blue gown.

At the end, Jason Wu came out and blew a kiss to the audience.

The show was followed by an auction benefitting the San Francisco Opera Guild.

And then it was time for the reception, where all my wedding photographer instincts kicked in, and I grabbed a few more detail shots of the beautiful setup.

A candid of me captured by Kristina!

Jason Wu’s Fall 2013 collection was imbued with a fierce strength and femininity. The pieces were all impeccably tailored with outrageously rich detailing, from lace backed with wool to feathered cocktail dresses to boldly colored dresses with a million perfect pleats. And yet, everything had a simplicity and elegance to it. It was somehow still approachable– wearable, even. Here is a designer who views his clients not as empty dress-up dolls (ironic, for an actual doll-dress designer), but as powerful and beautiful women. Jason Wu is an inspiring artist, and I look forward to seeing what he does next.

Many thanks again to TaiwaneseAmerican.org and the San Francisco Opera Guild for this opportunity. My job certainly carries some pretty amazing perks. It was such a wonderful experience.

View Kristina Lin’s writeup on TaiwaneseAmerican.org: Fashion Trending with Designer Jason Wu.