Community Highlights: Meet Zehua Wu of ARTWOKE

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zehua Wu

Hi Zehua, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The journey began with my deep passion for painting as a little kid. Art has always been my way of expressing myself and understanding the world. I’ve been practicing fine art for over 20 years, starting with simple doodles and eventually exploring various art forms and how they interact. My artworks often reflect my observations and feelings about the world around me. As I progressed on this journey, I became increasingly interested in making fine arts something that more people can access, touch, interact with, feel, and experience. This curiosity is what drew me to fashion design.

At the Rhode Island School of Design, I discovered my unique artistic language in fashion and combined it with garment-making techniques. Later, during my Master’s at Parsons School of Design, I was encouraged to explore the fusion of new technology and traditional craftsmanship in textiles. My multicultural background, spanning China, the US, and the UK, brings a rich narrative and diverse aesthetics to my designs. Fashion became my canvas to invite people to experience my imaginative world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not.

Since the beginning I’ve struggled with questions like “Who are you?” and “How do you define your work? .” There are SO many talented designers and creatives out there with their own unique approach to fashion, and finding your own voice in such a crowded industry requires persistence and experimentation. Then comes the issue of convincing people to believe in your vision – I’d like to think that my work speaks for itself, but a lot of work went behind creating an immersive world in which my pieces live.

One of the things that I’ve found most challenging is staying true to my creative vision while managing business needs and economic realities. How can I create a collection that is true to my artistic style but can also be produced and sold to my customers in a way that is sustainable for my business? It’s a balancing act that I am constantly navigating. For a while, my team and I had to turn my NYC apartment into my studio (complete with an industrial sewing machine, cutting table, mannequins, etc.) in order to finish making my new collection. It’s things like that that force you to think and learn on your feet.

As you know, we’re big fans of ARTWOKE . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m a fashion designer focusing on womenswear and accessories, and I’m also a director, entrepreneur, and artist. I’m proud to be an interdisciplinary practitioner with a diverse cultural background and education, which has profoundly shaped my approach to design. By pushing the boundaries of art and fashion, I use interdisciplinary methods and technology to create innovative work. I developed systems that allow me to create 3-D textiles and surfaces for wearable fashion. I want people to engage with, feel, and become part of the art through my creations.

Two years ago, I’m very proud to have started my business, ARTWOKE, in New York with my amazing team. The name, ARTWOKE, sounds like “artwork” and signifies “art woke,” reflecting our mission to reawaken art across various fields.
This led to my 2022 fashion collection “Artificial Flower,” featuring metallic beading textiles and worn by Sabrina Carpenter on the cover of Marie Claire. Seeing her team message us with “She is wearing ZEHUA WU!! Thank you for making this possible” was magical. Being seen is precious.

We’ll soon launch my latest Ready-To-Wear collection, which includes a series of bodysuits with my iconic distorted floral prints, already ordered by various brand fans. I’m excited to announce and publish it soon.

Transitioning from an artist and designer to a businessperson has been both the greatest and most challenging task for me. Launching ARTWOKE has been a heartfelt journey. We’ve poured our creativity and passion into every project, and it’s been rewarding to see our work resonate with so many people. Each project we undertake is a new adventure, and seeing the satisfaction and joy from our customers makes all the hard work worthwhile. This journey has been a blend of artistic expression and entrepreneurial spirit, and I’m grateful for every moment of it.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe that taking smart and courageous risks is essential. It’s important to clearly define your goals and find your own methods. Taking controlled risks on a well-defined path can lead to new opportunities and unexpected surprises.

For example, a current risk I am undertaking is to lead my team transitioning from our core business to exploring new products that require market validation and involve shifting the entire team’s focus. Adapting to market changes and internal needs will bring significant risks, but they are manageable. And I have to say that innovation always involves a balance of risk and opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zehuawu.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zehuawuu/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zehuawuofficial

Image Credits
ZEHUA WU