A Georgia mother sparked debate online after claiming that a Golden Goose store refused her request to customize her daughter’s shoes with Bible verses. She shared the experience on social media, where it quickly drew mixed reactions from viewers over the store’s decision.
Golden Goose is a luxury fashion brand best known for its handcrafted sneakers. They are intentionally designed with a worn-in, vintage look. In addition to selling ready-made shoes, many Golden Goose stores offer a sneaker customization experience. Customers can personalize their footwear with colorful laces, charms, patches, crystals, glitter, hand-painted designs, and custom lettering. The experience has become especially popular among teenagers. This is because it allows customers to create one-of-a-kind shoes. They reflect their personal style while turning a luxury purchase into a creative, personalized experience.
The mother claimed that a Golden Goose store in SoHo told her daughter that she could not add faith-based messages to her customized shoes. According to the mother, they were visiting the store to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. They expected a positive experience. This is especially since the sneakers cost about $900 and the in-store customization, which included handwritten designs and drawings, cost an additional $300.
The mother said that while she and her daughter were waiting for an artist to assist them, another customer requested that a cross be added to her daughter’s shoes. The artist told the customer that the store could not include religious designs on its customized shoes. She said the exchange prompted her to pay closer attention to the conversation.
The customer then asked for a design resembling a plus sign with a longer vertical line after being told that religious symbols were not permitted. She also said that because Bible verses were not allowed, the customer instead requested the word “Joshua” followed by numbers. This is a combination that references a Bible verse without spelling it out directly. The mother said the artist ultimately completed the requested customization.
When an artist came to assist the mother and her daughter, the mother and daughter also requested that a Bible verse be added to the shoes. She said the artist responded that religious messages were not permitted as part of the customization. The mother then told the artist that “Peter” was her daughter’s boyfriend. She asked for his name to be written alongside their anniversary date. This is also a combination that references a Bible verse without stating it directly.
The mother said the artist then stepped away to ask someone for permission after realizing what she was requesting. She said she believed that, given the amount she was paying for the experience, the store’s political views should not affect the customization and that the artists should simply perform the requested service. When the artist returned, the mother alleged that she had an attitude.
At that point, the mother said a salesperson approached her and asked her to pay for the purchase. She said she told him she would not complete the payment until she was certain the Bible verse would be added to the shoes. The mother also shared that her daughter later found a statement on Golden Goose’s website. It said that the company respects everyone’s religion and beliefs. She said they would have shown the statement to the artist if they had found it while they were at the store.
The mother said the artist later told them that she could write “Peter” on the shoes. She, however, couldn’t write the Bible verse because they “can’t do politics.” The mother then said, “You’re actually doing politics by refusing to write what I want on my shoes.” She said the Bible verse was ultimately added to the shoes. Despite the outcome, the mother said she does not plan to return to Golden Goose. She would only return if the company clarified what happened.
Viewers Divided Over Georgia Mother’s Complaint
The video sparked reactions online. Viewers expressed mixed reactions to the Georgia mother’s account. Some supported her position, while others said they believed the store had the right to decline the requested customization. “So thankful to be raised in the South!” one person wrote. Another commented, “I don’t understand why it matters what someone chooses to put on their personal shoes! That’s a horrible rule!!!”
Others sided with the store and supported its policy on customizations. “It’s not a sharpie it’s a leather paint pen…second of all it’s the company’s choice what they can and cannot do. The company is not faith based so they technically are not suppose to. Any artists that allow it are technically breaking company policy. – worked for ggdb and watched this go down often at the shop I worked at. Soho is also the USA HQ so they have to be the most to policy,” one person wrote.
The video sparked a conversation about the extent to which customers should be able to personalize products they purchase with religious messages. It also led to broader discussions about whether businesses should have the discretion to decline certain customization requests based on their policies and how those policies should be applied.
