Jason Wu has signed a licensing and distribution deal with Concept One Accessories for an “aspirational” collection of handbags and small leather goods.
The designer had been handling the production of his bags in-house and has decided to shift to licensing.
Jason Wu
Laurence Ellis
“Concept One has worked closely alongside Jason Wu to design an aspirational collection of handbags and small leather accessories to be sold at both better department and specialty stores as well as mid-tier and off-price channels,” Sam Hafif, the chief executive officer of Concept One, told WWD.
“We’re taking over the open orders, shipping them now, and developing a much larger line for spring of 2025,” Hafif said, noting that Wu’s bags are sold at such stores as Macy’s and Nordstrom. “There will be at least four groups per delivery, and six deliveries per year. Usually a collection has four to six pieces and two to four colorways.”
In terms of style and quality, Hafif said, the new handbag collections will mirror the Jason Wu sportswear at department and specialty stores. “It’s very updated contemporary,” he said.
The bags will range in price from $250 to $400 at retail. Small leather goods will be developed sometime in the future, Hafif said.
Jason Wu handbag in collaboration with Concept One Accessories.
“Since he exploded onto the designer scene in 2006, Jason Wu has established himself as an authority of style and as a top luxury brand,” Hafif said. “We are excited to continue that level of sophisticated design as we work closely with Jason and his team to build the Jason Wu handbags and leather goods collections for all tiers of distribution.”
Jason Wu is just the latest in a streak of deals signed by Concept One in the last several years. Last February, the company revealed it would produce a line of soft accessories for French Connection. Earlier, it partnered with Tommy Bahama, Fubu, New Balance, Brooks Brothers, Smoke Rise, Fred Segal and others. The New York-based Concept One designs and produces licensed cold-weather accessories, handbags, backpacks and luggage, and also has offices in Mexico and China along with a partnership in Canada and a London design studio.
Jason Wu is considered one of the most talented American fashion designers. As a 26-year-old emerging designer he burst onto the fashion scene by creating Michelle Obama’s inaugural ballgown, an ivory one-shouldered look. Since then, he’s designed gowns for celebrities including Diane Kruger and Karlie Kloss, large sizes for Eloquii and makeup for Target, among other collaborative projects. Wu has been offering the signature Jason Wu Collection with a focus on modern luxury and refined elegance. He has received numerous awards, including the Swarovski Award for Womenswear, the Fashion Group International Fashion Star Award, and the Canadian International Designer of the Year.
“As a designer, my focus has always been on exquisite craftsmanship, melding modern design with timeless sophistication,” Wu said in a statement. “The concept of beautiful craftsmanship with a timeless quality has always been foundational to me. I have consistently applied these principles throughout my career, especially in various collaborative projects.”
Jason Wu licensing is led by The Brand Liaison LLC, a brand management agency that works to ensure brand expansion opportunities and products align with the designer’s aesthetic across a multitiered distribution strategy. The agency represents licensors and licensees in fashion, entertainment, character, children, pet, home, sports, food and beverage, and art.
