David Chu (designer)
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David Chu (朱欽騏, pinyin: Zhū Qīnqí) is the Taiwanese American founder of Nautica, a men's designer outerwear company. He started in 1983 with 6 sailing jackets [1], and 20 years later, sold the company for $1 billion to VF Corporation. He made $100 million from the sale. [2] He then started another label, called "David Chu".
The David Chu label occupies the coveted 6th floor at Saks Manhattan store alongside Giorgio Armani and Ermenegildo Zegna. [3]
[edit] History
He was born in 1955. His family immigrated from Taiwan to USA in the 1960s and opened a Chinese restaurant. [4]
He was studying Architecture in New York, and during a class at Fashion Institute of Technology, a professor suggested that he try designing clothes after seeing his drawings skills. [5]
He then returned to Taipei to start an export business with friends, but they lost all their money in one and a half years. [6]
He then returned to USA, working under a large company, he designed jackets, taking the inspiration from sailor's coats. Barneys and Bloomingdales had good sales for the designs and Nautica was born. [7]
In 2007 Men's wear veteran David Chu has been named executive creative director at upscale luggage and accessories maker Tumi, Inc. [8]
