March 03, 2026
Renowned Designer Jason Wu Inspires ArtCenter College of Design Students During Two-Day Campus Visit
Pasadena, CA — World-renowned designer Jason Wu visited ArtCenter College of Design on February 25 and 26 for a special two-day engagement with students, faculty and the broader ArtCenter community. 
The visit included a public program, An Evening with Jason Wu, held February 25 in the Ahmanson Auditorium at the College’s Hillside Campus, which featured a panel discussion with Wu, ArtCenter faculty member Elise Co and ArtCenter President Karen Hofmann, who were later joined by artist and ArtCenter alumnus Ben Borden. The conversation explored Wu’s design career and creative practice, his longstanding commitment to craft and heritage, and his advice to students, including the importance of making mistakes and learning from them as an essential part of the design journey.  
Wu also discussed his recent work with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, as well as his collaboration with Co and Borden on his 2024 New York Fashion Week runway show presenting his Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection. Co and Borden’s sculptural installation was a centerpiece for the runway show.    
Wu first rose to international prominence at age 26 when former First Lady Michelle Obama selected his gown for the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Ball. The design is now part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian. He later served as Artistic Director of womenswear at Hugo Boss, bringing his refined vision to one of the world’s leading fashion houses. Today, Wu remains a prominent presence at New York Fashion Week, shaping contemporary fashion with his distinctive aesthetic.   
During his visit, Wu met with ArtCenter upper-term students interested in fashion or brand development, discussing their work and offering feedback. His visit reflects ArtCenter’s commitment to connecting students with leaders shaping their industries, and providing opportunities for dialogue and professional insight beyond the classroom. Throughout the visit, Wu emphasized the importance of technical rigor and creative risk-taking, values that resonate deeply within ArtCenter’s approach to art and design education.   
Jason Wu’s visit to ArtCenter was made possible by ArtCenter Trustee David C. Martin, his wife Mary Martin and their nonprofit, MADWORKSHOP.  
For more information about ArtCenter College of Design, please visit artcenter.edu.  
About ArtCenter College of Design
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. With a mission to educate, inspire and empower creative and design leadership, the College is renowned for its undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning industrial design, media and technology, as well as visual and applied arts. With deep industry relationships, state-of-the-art facilities and a strong faculty roster, ArtCenter provides real-world experience aligned with industry needs. Through rigorous, hands-on, practitioner-led instruction, the College prepares students for meaningful creative careers. For nearly 100 years, ArtCenter alumni and faculty have shaped many of the world’s most iconic products, vehicles, campaigns and creative works, leaving a lasting impact across art, design and culture.
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