Michelle Obama's designer shuts shop

New York, Oct 4 (ANI): Kai Milla, Michelle Obama's designer, has apparently shut shop and the cash-strapped business has failed to pay vendors for months, sources claim.

Milla, wife of Stevie Wonder, founded the women's contemporary line in 2005 and received acclaim from the fashion press, including a spread in Harper's Bazaar and an appearance on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'.

But her claim to fame came after First Lady Michelle Obama wore a green silk sleeveless dress by the designer in February 2009, when Wonder was awarded a Gershwin Prize from the Library of Congress and gave a performance at the White House.

"The company has left many creditors coming after her to be paid for time, service, and materials," The New York Post quoted a source as saying.

"Modelling agencies, production crews, design assistants, pattern makers, office and store landlords have all been trying to contact her office in Los Angeles and New York for months for payment," the source added.

Her phone in New York doesn't work and the number in California now belongs to a nutritional company, which took over Milla's office space in April.

The company's Facebook page has also not been updated since September. (ANI)