Adidas released a public apology on Tuesday (12) after Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, criticizing the brand for launching a shoe model inspired by traditional sandals huarachetypical of indigenous communities, without attributing design or giving credit to local artisans.
The case rekindles the debate on cultural appropriation in the fashion industry, a topic that had already put other brands under scrutiny. A few weeks ago, Italian Prada was a reaction in India by presenting, in Milan, a sandal inspired by the Kolhapuri slippers.
The model in question, called Oaxaca Slip-On, was launched five days ago by designer Willy Chavaria in partnership with Adidas. The shoes combines a black sole with sneakers with the leather plot characteristic of Huarachestraditionally produced at Villa Hidalgo Yalálag, in Oaxaca.
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“We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that honor your cultural legacy,” Adidas said in a statement.
Chavaria also spoke on Saturday (9), claiming to be “deeply sorry” and recognizing that design should have been developed in direct and significant partnership with the community.
Mexican government reaction
Sheinbaum has stated that his government evaluates legal actions to protect indigenous communities from improper appropriation from his designs by multinational companies.
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Oaxaca authorities also condemned the product, reinforcing the need for traditional intellectual property protection mechanisms.
