David Chu (designer)
David Chu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1955 Taiwan |
| Occupation(s) | Fashion designer, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Nautica, Chairman and Creative Director of Georg Jensen A/S |
David Chu (; born 1955) is a prominent American fashion designer and the creator of Nautica, a brand specializing in men's outerwear and sports apparel.
Early life and education
Chu's family relocated from Taiwan to the United States during the 1960s, where they established a Chinese dining establishment. Growing up in New York and Connecticut, he originally intended to pursue architecture. However, after attending a summer drawing course at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a faculty member encouraged him to explore fashion design. He completed his studies at FIT and was honored as its STAR alumnus in 1996.
Career
After graduation, Chu moved to Taipei to initiate an export venture with partners, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of their capital within a year and a half. Returning to the United States, he designed sailor-inspired jackets for a major company. The strong retail performance at Barneys and Bloomingdales prompted him to establish Nautica in 1983, generating $700,000 in sales during the first year and $2.5 million the following year.
In 2003, Chu divested Nautica to VF Corporation for $1 billion, netting $100 million from the transaction. Subsequently, he transformed a historic Manhattan townhouse into his design studio and showroom.
In 2006, he introduced David Chu Bespoke, a line offering custom-tailored suits crafted in Italy using high-quality fabrics, available through his penthouse atelier. Concurrently, he launched "LINCS by David Chu," a designer sportswear collection merging contemporary aesthetics with traditional elements, distributed at select retailers such as Lord & Taylor, The Bay, Dillard's, and Nordstrom.
Between 2006 and 2009, Chu held the position of executive creative director at luggage manufacturer Tumi Inc.. In July 2009, he collaborated with golf icon Jack Nicklaus to expand the Nicklaus brand internationally.
In November 2012, together with Investcorp, Chu acquired Danish company Georg Jensen A/S, where he currently serves as Chairman and Creative Director.
Personal life
As of 2014, Chu was residing in a townhouse located in New York's Flatiron District.