For a fashion designer, it doesn’t get much better than having a major celebrity wear one of your creations. So when Doo-Ri Chung was contacted by a member of Michelle Obama’s staff last fall and learned that the first lady was interested in wearing one of Chung’s dresses for a formal event, it was a milestone.
Chung ended up making a few changes to a one-shoulder purple jersey dress from her fall 2011 collection, and Mrs. Obama wore it to a state dinner in October.
What Obama tapped into was what other women have discovered, as well: The designer’s artful use of color and fabric to create clothes that are both modern and wearable, fashionable but still appropriate for an occasion as formal as a White House dinner.
Chung studied fashion at Parsons the New School for Design in New York, worked for the late Geoffrey Beene and started her own line in 2006 in the basement of her parents’ dry-cleaning business. While she’s still far from being a household name, a lot of people are paying attention to her work. The latest to do so — and a retailer who might be responsible for putting this designer in a much more visible role nationally — is Macy’s, which tapped Chung to design its latest Impulse contemporary line. The limited edition Doo.ri line of dresses and sportswear pieces is now in select Macy’s stores across the country, including Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
Known for her collaboration with artists and her use of soft, drapey fabrics, Chung said that working with the retailer was an eye-opening experience for her. “We are still a very small company, so it was a refreshing change of pace to work with a team that would execute everything,” she said in a phone interview. “They have an amazing fabric library.”
From dozens of sketches and ideas, they helped her narrow the looks down to the 30-some looks that are in the capsule collection, which is priced on average from $39 to $159.
Women who are just starting to figure out what they want to add to their wardrobe for the warm weather months ahead will find plenty of ideas in the mix. “For spring, I always love a poplin dress, something that is both tailored and flirty,” Chung says. Another favorite fabric is jersey — the material the dress for Mrs. Obama was made from — and she offers both long and short dresses in the material.
She also likes prints and encourages women to try them. “When you just need a little bit of excitement, it gives a spark to your wardrobe.”
As for color, try purple, she says. “There’s a color that looks great on every skin.”
One of Chung’s signatures is a draped jersey top and she says a cowl-neck design is the perfect piece for softening a business suit.
The designer encourages women to use clothes to express their personalities and not feel limited or constrained by fashion “rules.”
And if you’re ready to try something fresh, make it a maxi. “Even though I’m petite, I’ve always loved maxis,” she says. “They elongate you.” She’ll suggests wearing such a style with flat sandals on vacation, and with heels in the city.
The key is in knowing what works with your body type. “I know when I look in mirror if something overpowers because I look at fit models every day,” she says. “I’m more likely to wear tapered leg pants than ones that are full. You have to know your proportions.”
She allows her more adventurous side to be on display when she dresses for special occasions. “There are no boundaries,” she says, other than “it fits me perfectly.
“I’m not afraid of sequins or loud prints — that’s where you can have fun.”
Suzanne S. Brown: 303-954-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com
