Obama gown designer snubbed in native Taiwan
This combo image shows first lady Michelle Obama as she arrived at the Inaugural Ball in Washington on Jan. 21, 2009, left, and Jan. 21, 2013. Michelle Obama made it a fashion tradition Monday night, wearing a custom-made Jason Wu gown to the inaugural balls. The ruby-colored dress was a follow-up to the white gown Wu made for her four years ago when she was new to Washington, the pomp and circumstance, and the fashion press.
TAIPEI, Taiwan » Jason Wu may have won international recognition for twice designing inaugural gowns for U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, but judges in his native Taiwan seem unimpressed.
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, despite Wu’s claim that it conjured up the hoot of an owl, depicted on its logo.
He designed Michelle Obama’s white inaugural gown in 2008. 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.
