Jason Wu at The Room

It was a homecoming of sorts for Jason Wu last week at The Hudson's Bay Company's The Room. Clients and media alike welcomed Wu to Vancouver, a city which the young designer briefly called home when he moved to North America from Taiwan with his family as a child. (He still has fond memories of Granville Island!) After rising to fame for dressing Michelle Obama and for his fresh take on ladylike dressing, and with an upcoming Target collaboration under his belt, Wu was on hand that night to present his spring/summer 2012 collection to a curious Canadian crowd.

It’s one thing to see Wu’s collection in online photos, quite another to appreciate the impeccable construction and fabrication up close. Drawing on a palette of neon brights, neutrals and blushing shades of pink, the collection is vibrant and fun while still maintaining a classic sensibility. The highlights: petal prints designed by graffiti artist KAWS; handbags and wristlets in a variety of colourful leathers (all bearing his adorable cartoon owl logo); voluminous skirts in bright shades of neon yellow, pink and cobalt; and intricate beading and feathers on bodices. If any of this whets your appetite, please note that The Room is taking pre-sale orders now.

The evening wasn’t complete without a photo op with the man himself. Despite a hectic schedule that saw him fly in one day and out the next, Wu was gracious enough to pose for photos and exchange a few words with anyone who approached him.

Me, Jason Wu and Anya

P.S. For more coverage and photos, check out this write-up for FASHION Magazine by Joy Pecknold which, ahem, features a photo of yours truly in the gallery.