Tatto limited edition gardener meets Nike 2006 Designer Toy

Ultra-Rare Michael Lau x Nike “Tatto” — Limited Edition of Only 50 Worldwide (2006)

Offered here is an exceptionally scarce collector’s piece: “Tatto,” created for the Gardener Meets Nike Hong Kong Flagship Event on 29.09.2006. A collaboration between Michael Lau, widely celebrated as the godfather of designer and art toys, and Nike, this limited edition was produced in only 50 pieces worldwide, making it one of the most sought-after releases in Lau’s entire body of work.

Details

Creator: Michael Lau for Crazy Smiles
Title: “Tatto” - Year: 2006
Edition: Extremely limited — 50 pieces worldwide

Figure Dimensions:

H 15.5 cm × W 7 cm × D 5 cm
(H 6.1 in × W 2.75 in × D 2 in)

Wooden Presentation Box:

H 21 cm × W 11 cm × D 11.5 cm
(H 8.26 in × W 4.33 in × D 4.52 in)

Materials: Vinyl figure with metal accessories; original solid wood box with branded engraving

Markings: Stamped “Gardener Meets Nike at Hong Kong Flagship 29092006”; Crazy Smiles logo

Condition

As close to “mint” as it gets.

This piece has never been displayed, kept carefully out of direct sunlight and preserved in a smoke-free environment. Both the figure and original wooden box present beautifully, with only the natural variations expected from hand-finished materials.

Description

“Tatto” captures Michael Lau’s signature visual language—clean sculptural lines, subtle attitude, and an understated streetwear sensibility. The figure features metal chain details, Lau’s characteristic tattoo-inspired arm script, and the refined minimalism that made the Gardener series iconic.

The accompanying custom wooden box, engraved with the event details, is integral to the artwork and particularly prized by collectors. Works from the Gardener Meets Nike collaboration rarely surface on the market, especially in this condition, due to the extremely small edition size and their status as foundational pieces in the evolution of art toys as a contemporary collectible category.

A standout opportunity for serious collectors of designer toys, urban vinyl, and early street culture collaborations.

Artist Information — Michael Lau

Michael Lau (b. 1970, Hong Kong) is internationally recognized as a pioneering figure in the art-toy and urban vinyl movement. Often referred to as the “Godfather of Designer Toys,” Lau gained global recognition in the late 1990s for his Gardener series—highly stylized figures inspired by skate culture, music, streetwear, and Hong Kong youth subcultures.

His influence helped transform collectible toys into a legitimate art form, bridging the worlds of contemporary art, street culture, and fashion. Over the decades, Lau has collaborated with Nike, Sony, Puma, Casio, Medicom, and numerous global brands. His works have been exhibited internationally and remain central to the history of designer toys and limited-edition culture.