GREEN & GLOVER: Presenting Mr. Wu

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By Stephanie Green and Elizabeth Glover

It's not every day that you're inside a dressing room with one of the most celebrated young fashion designers in the world, but that's the enviable place we found ourselves in Thursday night at Neiman Marcus in Mazza Gallerie, where wunderkind Jason Wu, the 20-something creator of first lady Michelle Obama's inaugural gown presented his first Washington trunk show.

Asked if shoppers in the nation's capital approach matters of style differently, he said, "I'm not sure there is a difference. I think women embrace fashion here, and that's one common ground I find among women everywhere." Mr. Wu was in his everyday uniform of jeans, blazer, custom-made shirt and tie, and shiny Christian Dior footwear.

The demure Mr. Wu swanned around the second floor of Neiman's, shyly speaking with customers, who know him as a household name thanks to Mrs. Obama.

Like designer Isabel Toledo — another favorite of the first lady — who crafted her dress and overcoat worn at President Obama's swearing in ceremony in January, Mr. Wu has never met his famous fan, but says that he's excited to see they way Mrs. O has "promoted American fashion. I'm always excited to see what she's wearing, whether it's by me or not."

As for Mrs. Toledo, who was also in town for an event in her honor last week, Mr. Wu has not met her either, but says her husband, artist Ruben Toledo, "is one of the best illustrators right now."

An avid follower of culture and art, Mr. Wu is known for drawing inspiration for his collections from the unique and unusual, in most cases, "from the world outside fashion."

His 2009 resort line was based on his reflections on the iconic "Grimm's Fairy Tales," and for his new collection, Mr. Wu told us he relied on the stylings of filmmaker Tim Burton, the writer and producer of "one of my favorite movies" 1993's "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas."

Indeed, his new muse, he told us, was not the first lady, but Sally, the rag doll character from the animated film who is brought to life by a mad scientist.