Collaborate to Build a Brand~

Brands Do it.

Designers Do it.

Politicians Do it. (sometimes)

Celebrities do it.

You Can Do It.

col·lab·o·rate [kuh-lab-uh-reyt]

Via Wikipedia.com

verb (used without object), col·lab·o·rat·ed,col·lab·o·rat·ing.

Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus. Most collaboration requires leadership, although the form of leadership can be social within a decentralized and egalitarian group. In particular, teams that work collaboratively can obtain greater resources, recognition and reward when facing competition for finite resources.

JASON WU

Photo via Delta Skymiles magazine

At age 29, esteemed Fashion Designer Jason Wu has had multiple collaborations in building his brand. One that I am becoming more and more familiar with is his work with Brizo, a very fashionable and high quality brand of Kitchen & Bath plumbing fixtures.

If you haven’t heard of Jason Wu, here’s the short version.

Born in 1982 in Taipei, Taiwan; Jason moved to Vancouver, Canada at age 9 with his mother where he learned English. His mother had recognized his unusual talent when he was a young boy. Jason then attended boarding school in Connecticut, sketching all the way until entering into a Collaboration with Integrity Toys for designing doll clothing (which is very fashionable by the way!). Take a look!

Photo via http://www.IntegrityToys.com

With the profits of that collaboration, he went on to Parson’s School of Design and eventually opened his own design house and wowed viewers with national attention when First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore a gown Jason designed, for the President’s Inaugural Ball.

First Lady Michelle Obama in gown designed by Jason Wu. Photo via Glamour Fashion

Next up: a collaboration with Brizo. Two great design houses com together for a fashionable faucet.

Jason Wu carefully contemplating faucet design for Brizo. Photo via http://www.brizo.com

Below is a faucet from the Jason Wu for Brizo line.

Odin_faucet Jason Wu for Brizo photo via http://www.Brizo.com

“At the center of the collection is a faucet unlike any other. Named for mythology’s Norse god of wisdom and magic, the Jason Wu for Brizo Odin™ faucet features a unique and unexpected rotating handle motion to emphasize the collection’s modern and seamless design. Punctuated by Wu’s signature Miss Wu owl emblem on the tip of the handle, this faucet is truly the collection’s showpiece.

The Jason Wu for Brizo Odin faucet is equipped with SmartTouchPlus™ Technology, which allows users to start and stop the flow of water with a simple touch anywhere on the spout or handle of the faucet. For a more intuitive experience, its hands-free mode activates the flow of water when hands are anywhere within 4” of the faucet.” quote: Brizo

If you would like to hear Jason speak on fashion and his personal design concept, you can view it here:

Jason is now in collaboration with NEST Fragrances

“This month, Wu’s first candle, in collaboration with NEST Fragrances, will launch at many of those same high-end stores. Jason Wu Orchid Rain—a mix of white orchid, nashi pear, pomegranate and goji berry—burns in the ultramodern entryway of Wu’s sweeping showroom in Manhattan’s garment district. Wu breathes it in. “This is what I smell like, in a $48 candle.” He notes that the candle is his first foray into home accessories, suggesting it won’t be his last.” ~ Fashioning a Brand – Delta Sky Magazine

Jason also collaborates with Target with affordable fashions.

Photo via http://www.Target.com

And one more…

Photo via Linda Merrill

I have had the pleasure of meeting Jason Wu in person twice. Here I am with some of the Blogger 19 Alumni who attended the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (#KBIS) last month in Chicago.

Jason has several additional products under the umbrella of his empire. As you can see, he has quickly established his brand by wonderful collaborations with top companies across the spectrum of lifestyle goods.