{
  "id": 5445202,
  "title": "The parents who helped Chew stitch his way to the top",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/the-parents-who-helped-chew-stitch-his-way-to-the-top",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/09/04/the-parents-who-helped-chew-stitch-his-way-to-the-top"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chew Kai Hung, a 27-year-old Penangite, is a self-taught bag designer who handles every aspect of production himself. His mother takes photographs of his designs, his father drives him to Kuala Lumpur for events, and once even helped with finishing touches during a tight deadline. Chew's parents have been a constant source of support throughout his life, often closing their restaurant to help him during busy times. This support has been crucial for his success, as he believes running his business alone would be more challenging. His designs are known for bold color combinations, with purple and yellow being popular choices. Chew's bags often feature traditional textiles alongside contemporary forms, giving them a distinctly modern Malaysian character. His breakthrough came in 2021 when a video about his struggles during the pandemic went viral, leading to numerous orders and commissions, including from the Prime Minister for Budget 2025. Chew's brand, Kai Hung, has gained significant recognition, but he remains focused on his parents, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout his career. He hopes to have his own studio in the future and prefers to take life step by step, enjoying the process of making bags and seeing where opportunities may lead.",
  "summary": "From working on a secondhand sewing machine to designing a bag for the prime minister, Chew Kai Hung is grateful for his family's support.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "The parents who helped Chew stitch his way to the top",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/the-parents-who-helped-chew-stitch-his-way-to-the-top-5446486",
        "published": "2026-09-03T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}