A Chinese mother who embroidered a Nike logo on her son’s bag because of their financial situation during his school days has been awarded for her efforts by the brand.
The man, now 23, from northwestern China’s Shaanxi province, surnamed Liu, posted an old photo of his school bag from junior secondary school on social media on September 9.
The red bag has a giant floral-patterned Nike Swoosh logo on it.
Liu said many of his classmates in junior secondary school had genuine Nike school bags, but his family could not afford one because they usually cost around 300 yuan (US$40).
His mother, a tailor surnamed Zhang, now aged 50, filled the logo with a variety of flowers, green leaves and her love.
Liu said he was proud of his unique logo and showed it off to everyone he met, telling them that his mother had sewn it.
He said his mother had made all his clothes since he was little.
Now working in another city, Liu said he saw the old photo of the bag on his phone and thought the item was priceless.
His post received 8.6 million likes and 500,000 comments.
Many people online said they were moved by his mother’s love, with some sharing their own Nike or other big brands’ logos which had been embroidered by their mothers or girlfriends.
“This is a one-of-a-kind luxury item,” one online observer said.
“This is the most beautiful Nike logo I have ever seen,” said another.
A third suggested that the company should piggyback on the post and release a series named after mothers.
To the shock of many, Nike China’s official account replied to Liu’s post.
The company praised the “well-sewn” logo, adding that a “mother’s love gives us courage to just do it,” a reference to the brand’s catchphrase.
They also promised to send Liu’s mother a gift.
While some joked that Nike might send them a lawyer’s letter for using the company’s logo without authorization, Liu said he had already sent his mother’s address to the sportswear giant.
Some people said the story reminded them of the Filipino girl, Rhea Bullos, who wrapped tape around her feet and drew the Nike logo on them in 2019.
The 11-year-old won three gold medals while wearing her home-made Nike “shoes”. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
