The Mexican government, particularly the state of Oaxaca, has accused Adidas and designer Willy Chavarría of cultural appropriation for their new sandal model "Oaxaca Slip-On," which closely resembles traditional huaraches from the Zapotec community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. The Secretary of Cultures and Arts of Oaxaca demanded the immediate suspension of the sandal's commercialization, while the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI) condemned the design as an unauthorized use of Indigenous heritage. Oaxaca's governor and the federal government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, have called for reparations and legal actions, emphasizing that the design violates Mexico's Heritage Law. Adidas has initiated dialogue with Mexican authorities and apologized, committing to repair the damage caused. Designer Willy Chavarría, a Mexican-American, expressed regret for the appropriation and acknowledged the lack of meaningful collaboration with the Indigenous community. In response to the controversy, the Mexican government is working on strengthening intellectual property laws to better protect Indigenous artisans and their cultural expressions. The issue has drawn international attention, highlighting ongoing debates about cultural inspiration versus appropriation in the fashion industry.
An acclaimed photographer has sued a gallery for allegedly charging visitors to copy his images in art classes. https://t.co/9OJ76IOCuv
🏢 Empresas | Adidas se disculpa por sandalia que se apropia de diseño indígena mexicano 👟🩴 https://t.co/0LIZwUcFzb
Adidas apologizes for cultural appropriation of Indigenous huarache design. A reminder of the need for respectful collaboration with local artisans. #CulturalRespect #IndigenousRights https://t.co/J2VXA4Nrad