Made in China

Chinese designer Ping Wu talks about her post-”Project Runway” career

“I had always been inventive and very good at hand crafts. But back then, "designer" was an unknown term in China. Thank God, now I know! Otherwise, it'll be a terrible pity in my life.”

Photo courtesy : Barbara Nitke for Lifetime TV Network

Ping Wu has combined the professions of a physical therapist and fashion designer all her life. Originally from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, Wu received an education in Fashion Design from Instituto Marangoni in Milan. She is known for her numerous professional accomplishments as a designer and her participation in the last season of the reality show “Project Runway.”

In 2007, Wu participated in Beijing’s International Fashion week, Premierre Classe Trade Show in Paris and was one of the five accessory artists featured for the 40th anniversary of the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. During the same year, she also launched her own fashion brand. Now she is focused on developing her new winter line and promoting Ping Wu Design Studio.

I got a chance to sit down with Wu, who now lives in Chicago, and ask her about her life as a fashion designer.

MK: When was the first time you realized that you want to be a designer?

Ping Wu: In 2003, after I experimented with ceramics, making hand-made greeting cards, knitting, and making garments … All of a sudden, I realized that I really had something special in me, and I’m most interested in designing. In fact, in my childhood, I had always been inventive and very good at hand crafts. But back then, “designer” was an unknown term in China. So, I just simply didn’t know there’s such a profession that could utilize what’s naturally in me! Looking back, I feel like it took too long to discover this field. Thank God, now I know! Otherwise, it’ll be a terrible pity in my life.

MK: What defines your style of design?

PW: Functionality, comfort, and originality. My signature as a designer is transformable fashion accessories, and all of my garments have some hidden surprises.

MK: What did you learn about yourself from your journey in “Project Runway”?

PW: I surprised myself with how strong I was when it comes down to human values and principles. I really shocked myself that I actually could handle my own hurt and anger so well, despite of being in extremely difficult circumstances.

Designer Ping Wu stands on the runway with her model Elizaveta Melnitchenko in the first challenge, when Nina Garcia and fashion designer Michael Kors absolutely loved her design.

MK: How did you end up in Chicago?

PW: I first moved to Chicago in January 2004, for the following reasons. First, I needed to make more money to pay for my tuition and living cost in Milan later that year. Second, I’m a big city girl. I really missed the big city life by then. Third, I would like to be in a cosmopolitan place that’s not too far from my friends in Champaign-Urbana. And fourth, I wanted to be a contracting therapist for the maximum freedom in choosing where and when I want to work.

MK: What is your idea and goal with Ping Wu Design Studio?

PW: I would like to create a modern American brand producing a native Chinese designer, me. Basically, I design products and then try to sell them on international market. The idea is to give myself maximum freedom to create and design but at the same time, the market reality should be my only judge.

MK: What inspires you?

PW: Daily problems in average people’s lives. I’m very curious and interested in people, life, cultures, religions, and world in general. I constantly observe, question, and think … We all exist in this world shortly so we should be useful and helpful for each other and for the society, we all should contribute in our own ways. I’m constantly searching for my way.

MK: What do you think is the most important thing, that designers and other artists who are self-employed, should know?

Ping Wu's losing design.

PW: The most valuable things in life are invisible. Never choose this path only because you have no other options, or if you think it’s going to be an easier life, or for making more money … The only most powerful tool that’s going to help you through a journey like this is your absolute passion and persevere character towards the subject.

MK: What is your ultimate goal as a designer?

PW: To be free, to be happy, to be Ping, forever and ever. To bring more Pingish products to my inspiring customers who are just as daring, creative and independent!

Advertisement