David Chu (designer)
Encyclopedia
David Chu, born Chu Hsin-chi in 1955, is a Taiwanese American fashion designer best known as the founder of Nautica, a men's designer outerwear company.
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. 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. Chu later graduated from FIT, and was named its STAR alumni in 1996.
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.
In 2003, Chu sold the company for $1 billion to VF Corporation. He made $100 million from the sale. 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. 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. Currently, LINCS can be found in select Dillard's, Nordstrom. The BAY Oakridge in Vancouver, and other specialty stores.
In 2007, Chu was named executive creative director at upscale luggage and accessories maker Tumi
, Inc. 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.
Early life and education
Chu's family immigrated from TaiwanTaiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
to the United States in the 1960s and opened a Chinese restaurant. He grew up in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
and originally planned to become an architect. While taking a summer drawing class at the Fashion Institute of Technology
Fashion Institute of Technology
The Fashion Institute of Technology, generally known as FIT, is a State University of New York college of art, business, design, and technology connected to the fashion industry, with an urban campus located on West 27th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in the Chelsea neighborhood of...
(FIT), a professor suggested that Chu try designing clothes after seeing his drawing skills. Chu later graduated from FIT, and was named its STAR alumni in 1996.
Career
Chu returned home to TaipeiTaipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
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.
In 2003, Chu sold the company for $1 billion to VF Corporation. He made $100 million from the sale. 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
Bespoke
Bespoke is a term employed in a variety of applications to mean an item custom-made to the buyer's specification...
line, offering custom suits hand-made in Italy with fabrics from the world's finest mills. 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. Currently, LINCS can be found in select Dillard's, Nordstrom. The BAY Oakridge in Vancouver, and other specialty stores.
In 2007, Chu was named executive creative director at upscale luggage and accessories maker Tumi
Tumi
- History :Tumi, Inc., a manufacturer of suitcases and bags for travel, is based in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Founded in 1975 by Charlie Clifford after a stint in the Peace Corps in Peru, the company is named after a Peruvian ceremonial knife used for sacrifices. Tumi, Inc. has been a unit of...
, Inc. As of fall 2008 he was released from this role.
In July 2009, Chu launched a strategic partnership with golf legend Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
to develop the Nicklaus brands worldwide under a unified creative direction.
External links
- Asian American Profiles: David Chu at GoldSea.com