Lifestyle

Court in native Taiwan snubs Obama gown designer

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Judges in his native Taiwan seem unimpressed that Jason Wu has designed two inaugural gowns for U.S. first lady Michelle Obama.

Taiwan's Intellectual Property Court ruled Monday that Wu's new label "Miss Wu" could not be registered as a brand because it was not distinctive enough. Wu is one of only several dozen Chinese surnames, and the court upheld a government trademark agency decision that "Miss Wu" was too generic. Wu claimed the label conjured the hoot of an owl, depicted on its logo.

He designed the white gown Obama wore for her husband's first inauguration in 2009. On Monday, she appeared in another of his creations, a shiny red gown with a halter top. Wu was born in Taiwan before moving to Canada at age 9.

Related Headlines

  • Barack Obama, Michelle Obama

    Michelle Obama lets wardrobe take back seat

    Michelle Obama has proven her fashion savvy time and again since she was introduced as first lady in a lemongrass-yellow sheath and coat by Isabel Toledo on Inauguration Day ... 

  • Michelle Obama wears Wu to the balls again

    Michelle Obama made it a fashion tradition Monday night, wearing a custom-made Jason Wu gown to the inauguration balls. The ruby-colored dress was a follow-up to the white ... 

  • Michelle Obama picked Kors for Election Night

    As Michelle Obama stepped on stage with her husband in Chicago early Wednesday morning, she accepted her role not only as first lady but fashion tastemaker for four more years ... 

  • Barack Obama, Michelle Obama

    2nd inaugural fashion set for presidential library

    While a first lady's first inaugural gown is traditionally donated to the Smithsonian, Michelle Obama's second inaugural gown is destined to be among the first objects in a ... 

Find your future job here

What

Where

Service