TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Entertainer Janet Chia (賈永婕), who took over as chairperson of Taipei 101 (台北101) in September 2024, announced the iconic tower's latest merchandise on Thursday (Jan. 2): one hoodie marked with her Chinese name "Yung-chieh," and another Team Taiwan Hoodie.
The hoodies feature creative designs. The Team Taiwan version transforms the iconic 101 into a bubble tea, accompanied by a Taiwan blue magpie. Each hoodie costs NT$1,880, with a discounted price of NT$3,500 for two, sparking criticism for allegedly leveraging the "Taiwan" brand to market her own intellectual property.
The Yung-chieh Hoodie, in a soft lavender hue, prominently displays the Taipei 101 and the phrase "Yung-chieh Together" on the back. Chia emphasized that the lavender color represents a gentle yet firm stance.
Chia, responding to the critiques in an interview with Next Apple News (壹蘋新聞網), dismissed the allegations, stating, "so long as it generates revenue and sells well, it'll benefit Taipei 101." She added that the hoodies are a trial product, with plans to develop more collaborative items in the future.
