{{short description|American fashion designer}} {{Other people|David Chu|David Chu (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox person | name = David Chu | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Chu Hsin-chi | native_name = 朱欽騏 | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1955}} | birth_place = Taiwan | alma_mater = Fashion Institute of Technology | occupation = Fashion designer | known_for = Founder of Nautica| }}

'''David Chu''' ({{zh|c=朱欽騏|p=Zhū Qīnqí}}; born 1955) is an American fashion designer and the founder of Nautica, a men's outerwear and sportswear company.

==Early life and education== Chu's family immigrated from Taiwan to the United States in the 1960s and opened a Chinese restaurant. He grew up in New York and Connecticut and originally planned to become an architect.<ref name="usnews.com" /> While taking a summer drawing class at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a professor suggested that Chu try designing clothes, after seeing his drawing skills.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fashionwindows.com/fashion/nautica/default.asp | title = David Chu for Nautica: Glamour in Simplicity | publisher = FashionWindows | author = Javier Mateo | year = 2004 | access-date = 2010-01-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091207071632/http://www.fashionwindows.com/fashion/nautica/default.asp | archive-date = 2009-12-07 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Chu later graduated from FIT,<ref>[http://www.fitnyc.edu/5002.asp Noted FIT Alumni] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527140635/http://www.fitnyc.edu/5002.asp |date=2010-05-27 }}. Fashion Institute of Technology. Accessed 3 January 2010.</ref> and was named its STAR alumnus in 1996.<ref name="CFDA Profile" />

==Career== Chu returned home to Taipei to start an export business with friends, but they lost all their money in one and a half years. He then returned to the United States, and working under a large company, he designed jackets, taking inspiration from sailors' coats. Barneys and Bloomingdales had good sales for the designs, and in 1983 Nautica was born. The company had sales of $700,000 in its first year and $2.5 million the following year.<ref name="usnews.com" />

In 2003, Chu sold the company for $1 billion to VF Corporation. He made $100 million from the sale.<ref name="usnews.com">{{cite news | url = https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/051003/3chu.htm | title = Taking a New Tack: Nautica founder David Chu embarks on a more upscale fashion voyage | publisher = U.S. News & World Report | author = Tim Smart | date = 2005-09-25 | access-date = 2017-08-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131119013254/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/051003/3chu.htm | archive-date = 2013-11-19 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Chu promptly purchased an 1846 townhouse in Manhattan's Flatiron district, gut-renovated the historic mansion and turned it into his design studio, showroom and offices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://therealdeal.com/2014/07/14/nautica-founder-sells-flatiron-townhouse-for-27m/|title=Flatiron District &#124; townhouse &#124; Manhattan sales|date=July 14, 2014|website=The Real Deal New York}}</ref>

In 2006, he created the exclusive ''David Chu Bespoke'' line, offering custom suits hand-made in Italy with fabrics from the world's finest mills.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.luxist.com/tag/David+Chu/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624024545/http://www.luxist.com/tag/David+Chu/|title=The Classicist: Bespoke by David Chu|website=www.luxist.com | archive-date=2009-06-24}}</ref> The bespoke line is available in a richly-appointed atelier located in the penthouse of the "Townhouse."

In 2010, he started another label, a designer sportswear collection called "LINCS by David Chu," that offered a modern take on tradition and the well-lived life.<ref name="CFDA Profile">{{cite web | url = http://www.cfda.com/index.php?option=com_cfda_content&task=members_display&user_name=DavidChu | title = CFDA Member Profile: David Chu | publisher = Council of Fashion Designers of America}}</ref> Previously, LINCS was available at select Lord & Taylor, The Bay, Dillard's, Nordstrom, the BAY Oakridge in Vancouver, and other specialty stores.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lincsdavidchu.com/retail/|title=LINCS by David Chu: Retail Locations|website=www.lincsdavidchu.com|access-date=2009-10-05|archive-date=2009-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905005926/http://www.lincsdavidchu.com/retail/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

From 2006 to 2009, Chu was the executive creative director at luggage and accessories maker Tumi Inc.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jan2007/id20070124_800276.htm | title = Tumi's New Itinerary: With Nautica founder David Chu at the creative helm, the luggage maker eyes growth through a complementary market: women's accessories | work=Business Week | author = Helen Walters | date = January 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227070403/http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jan2007/id20070124_800276.htm | archive-date=2009-12-27}}</ref><ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/david-chu-appointed-new-ceo-of-georg-jensen-196368411.html David Chu appointed new CEO of Georg Jensen]</ref>

In July 2009, Chu formed partnership with golf player Jack Nicklaus to develop the Nicklaus brands worldwide.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.wwd.com/menswear-news/david-chu-and-jack-nicklaus-team-up-2214152/ | title = David Chu and Jack Nicklaus Team Up | publisher = WWD.com Men's Wear News | author = Jean Scheidnes | date = July 17, 2009}}</ref>

In November 2012, Chu bought Danish brand Georg Jensen A/S with Investcorp. He became Chairman of the board and Creative Director after the purchase.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonydemarco/2012/11/05/georg-jensen-sold-to-investment-group-for-140-million/#26e3561913c0 |title=Georg Jensen Sold To Investment Group For $140 Million |website=forbes.com |first=Anthony |last=DeMarco |date=November 5, 2012 |accessdate=March 11, 2020}}</ref> Georg Jensen was subsequent sold and is currently owned by Fiskars. As of 2026 David Chu remains on the board of the company. https://www.lionrockcapitalhk.com/team/david-chu/

==Personal life== As of 2014, Chu lived in a townhouse in Flatiron, New York<ref>{{cite web | title=Nautica Founder Gets $27 Million for His Impressive Flatiron Townhouse &#124; 6sqft | date=15 July 2014 | url=https://www.6sqft.com/nautica-founder-gets-27-million-for-his-impressive-flatiron-townhouse/ }}</ref>

==See also== * Taiwanese in New York City

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{fashiondesigner|id=david-chu}} * [http://goldsea.com/Personalities2/Chudavid/chudavid.html Asian American Profiles: David Chu] at GoldSea.com * *[http://taiwan543.net/2011/10/19/david-chu-celebrated-entrepreneur-and-designer/''David Chu: Celebrated Entrepreneur and Designer''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509072350/http://taiwan543.net/2011/10/19/david-chu-celebrated-entrepreneur-and-designer/ |date=2012-05-09 }}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chu, David}} Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:American chief executives of fashion industry companies Category:American businesspeople in fashion Category:Businesspeople from New York City Category:Taiwanese emigrants to the United States Category:Members of the Committee of 100 Category:Menswear designers Category:Flatiron District