Ping Wu

Biography

Ping Wu, a Chicago-based Chinese fashion designer and physical therapist, came to the United States from Chengdu, China, alone as a teenager. After completing studies in Biology, Psychology and Physical Rehabilitation with high honors at the University of Pittsburgh and SUNY Buffalo, she resumed her childhood love for crafts and design. While she was in clinical practice, Ping decided to pursue design as a profession, enrolling in the Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy. After completing her studies in Fashion Design, she interned with Milanese designer Luisa Beccaria and later with BLESS in Paris. In March 2007, she was invited to participate in the Qi Pai Cup Costume Creation Contest with seven other top Chinese women’s wear designers during Beijing’s International Fashion Week, which led to her invitation to Paris’s Premiere Classe trade show in September of that year by its French salon director.

In May, she fulfilled her long-time dream by launching her own fashion line, Ping Wu, in Chicago, and setting up her showroom and work base in both Chicago and Chengdu, China, her hometown.

The MCA Store of the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art discovered her and bought her entire collection in April 2007. MCA selected her as one of five accessory artists/designers featured in a special event for their 40th anniversary celebration on October 27, 2007. Ping was interviewed by VISION magazine (China) for the December 2007 issue. Her designs were featured by the chief editor in the Spanish fashion journal Pinker in November 2007 and January 2008. Her versatile designs offer unique options that are both stylish and functional, providing joy, comfort, individuality, and inspirational energy.

Past Shows: • Ping was invited as an accessory designer to participate in Chicago is… Red Hot! fashion show on September 26, 2008. • On October 11, 2008, she was invited to design fashion accessories made of candies for Sweet Chic, a fundraising event for the Spina Bifida Association of Illinois at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. • In November 2008, Ping was honored to be one of fifteen semifinalists in the accessory category in the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation 2009 Competition.

Upcoming Shows: • Designers & Agents in New York City – February 21 to 23, 2009: Ping will present her Fall/Winter 2009 collection during the D&A show in New York City. • American Craft Show in Baltimore – February 27 to March 1, 2009: In December 2008, American Craft selected Ping as one of fourteen artists invited to present their work in the Altcraft section of the American Craft Sho