Unless you live under an unfashionable rock, you’ve heard of Jason Wu, the 26-year-old designer who rocketed to stardom when Michelle Obama wore his design to the inaugural balls. Since then, Wu has become a household name and has been seen on some of the world’s most fashionable women, including Katie Holmes and supermodels Chanel Iman and Hilary Rhoda. Women love Wu’s designs not because they are trendy, but because they are classic, streamlined, and cut to flatter feminine bodies rather than runway paperdolls.

During Fall Fashion Week in February, I was unable to convince Jason Wu’s press team to let me see the runway show. But last night, I got an even better opportunity: Capitol File‘s preview of the Fall 2009 collection at Neiman Marcus in Friendship Heights, the sole Jason Wu retailer in the Washington area. Not only did I get a front-row seat at the fashion show, but I also could touch, examine, and photograph the clothing–heck, I could have tried on the clothing had I been brave enough. And as guests sipped champagne, Jason Wu representative John Murphy explained the inspiration behind each piece and how to wear it.

I’ve always admired Jason Wu’s designs, but I was completely stunned by the beauty and construction of the pieces. Each stitch, drape, and perfectly cinched waist conforms to a woman’s curves with precision–and each item is truly unlike other designs seen on the runways. In particular, I was struck by two drastically different yet equally beautiful dresses.

First, this strapless dress popped on the runway with its unique combination of fuchsia and orange, but I never truly considered it until I saw it on Katie Holmes last month:

Jason Wu, Fall 2009, New York
Style.com

That is one flattering dress. Still, I didn’t think much about it again until I saw it up close (in just my size):

This photo doesn’t do the dress justice.

The juicy colors provided a wow-factor that can only be seen in person, and my fingers itched to take it off the rack and try it on. Of course, it had a wow-factor price too, and it was too perfect to let grimy fingers that had just touched a Metro escalator near it.

My second favorite dress was one that I didn’t notice when perusing the runway lookbook:

Jason Wu, Fall 2009, New York
Style.com

It’s pretty, but not a dress that you would necessarily take a second look at unless given the opportunity. But in person, the fine, sheer, fairy princess silk drew me in and I wanted to buy the dress and wear it everywhere. It’s more subtle and wearable than the vibrant dress above, and I can’t imagine it hanging poorly on any shape.

John Murphy shows that the dress looks best when belted in the back.

After touching and examining the collection up-close, I have to say that couture like Jason Wu’s is probably worth the cost. You can’t buy that kind of detailing or construction in a catalog. Thus, my obsession with Jason Wu this week remains an obsession that can’t be copied for cheap.

Though I expect to see close copies of that strapless number in a Forever 21 near you.