The print of their Pro Tattoo Tights Tech has drawn the ire of Australia and New Zealand, for its similarity to pe'a, the traditional Samoan male tattoo.
In New Zealand the use of printing a male traditional motif womens clothing has been seen as offensive, and many in the Pacific community found using this print as a means of exploitation. "Before you embark on something like this, there is usually a consultation with those whose pattern has the property ..." said a member of the Parliament of New Zealand, "I do not think Nike has taken the time to do that."
The Nike Pro Tattoo Tech collection debuted over a month ago but a petition Change.org August released earlier protested over leggings labeling them as "a direct violation of indigenous peoples of the Pacific, and is also a violation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the UN. "
After the petition received over 750 signatures, Nike leggings withdrew its outlets, saying in a statement that "Nike Tattoo Tech collection was inspired by tattoos. We apologize to anyone who sees this design as insensitive to any specific culture. I did not mean any offense. "
It's not the first time that nike faces protests over one of their products and have to remove it. The sports brand was attacked in 2012 by his shoes "Black and Tan" which offended buyers of Ireland, and for the shirt "Gold Digging" did not like the female audience.
