Jason Wu hopes he is "doing Asia strong" after being honoured at The Asia Society's fifth annual gala.
The star-studded bash at The Pierre hotel in Manhattan, New York City, on Monday night paid homage to Wu, who is famed for designing the dresses of US First Lady Michelle Obama on several occasions.
The designer made an emotional speech during dinner, before gushing about his dedication to fashion.
"I hope I'm doing Asia strong," the designer told Style.com. "The Asia Society has done a lot to promote intercultural relationships, and I'm honoured to be here."
In his speech, Wu reportedly added: “When I grew up in Taiwan, it was very clear to me that I wasn’t going to be your average doctor, lawyer or accountant. In fact, I’d highly discourage myself from doing any of your taxes. But my parents encouraged me to do what I wanted to do. I wanted to acknowledge them because they couldn’t be here; they are in Taiwan. Because they think New York is too dirty. And it is a bit dirty, but I love it.”
Wu turned up with a host of stars who were dressed in his designs, including Michelle Harper, Hilary Rhoda and Jenny Shimizu. Cynthia Rowley, Lorry Newhouse, Yung Hee Kim, Chiu-Ti Jansen and Eddie Borgo also turned up for the occasion.
Anna Sui attended and laughed about the change in weather after returning from Japan.
“I was talking at a seminar at Aoyama Gakuin University and I had a store opening there, too. It was crazy because it was 70 degrees and sunny and you felt like the cherry blossoms were about to pop and then the sky went dark and in came this huge dust storm from China. The whole sky turned yellow. It was totally science fiction," she giggled.
Partygoers enjoyed food by chefs Simpson Wong and Pichet Ong, music by the Peter Duchin band and a "raucous live auction that saw a private luncheon and art tour with the Society's senior vice president, Melissa Chiu, go for a cool $15K".
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