Mexico accuses Adidas of stealing Indigenous sandal design

Mexican authorities have accused Adidas of cultural appropriation over a new sandal design that closely resembles traditional Indigenous footwear, with President Claudia Sheinbaum announcing Friday that the company is already in talks to provide compensation to affected communities.timesofindia.indiatimes+2

The controversy centers on the "Oaxaca Slip-On," a sandal created by U.S. designer Willy Chavarria for Adidas Originals and unveiled this week at an event in Puerto Rico. The design features thin leather straps braided in a style similar to traditional huaraches from the Zapotec community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag in southern Oaxaca, though it pairs the traditional upper with a chunky sports shoe sole.startribune+3

Government Response Demands Action

Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz has demanded Adidas withdraw the shoe and publicly acknowledge its origins, calling the design cultural appropriation that "may violate Mexican law". In a video message posted on social media, Jara stated: "This is not just a design, it is about the culture, history and identity of an original [people] and we will not allow it to be treated as merchandise".timesofindia.indiatimes+2

President Sheinbaum confirmed during her morning press conference that Adidas was already in negotiations with Oaxaca authorities and that her government is preparing legal reforms to prevent future copying of Mexican handicrafts. "It's collective intellectual property. There must be compensation. The heritage law must be complied with," Sheinbaum declared.startribune+1

The state's Ministry of Cultures and Arts has demanded Adidas suspend the sandal's sale and begin a "dialogue and redress of grievances" with the Yalalag community. Officials have also raised concerns about the unauthorized use of the name "Oaxaca" for the shoe.euronews+1

Economic Impact on Artisan Communities

Handicrafts represent a crucial economic lifeline in Mexico, providing jobs for approximately 500,000 people nationwide and accounting for around 10% of the gross domestic product in states like Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacán and Guerrero. Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, a Zapotec community recognized for its hand-woven huaraches and traditional crafts, is located roughly 90 kilometers northeast of Oaxaca City.timesofindia.indiatimes+3

For local artisan Viridiana Jarquín García, who creates and sells huaraches in Oaxaca's capital, the Adidas shoes represent a "cheap copy" of carefully crafted work. "The artistry is being lost. We're losing our tradition," she said.independent

Designer Faces Scrutiny Despite Heritage Claims

Chavarria, a Mexican-American designer from California known for incorporating Chicano culture into his work, has not publicly responded to the controversy. At the Puerto Rico event where he unveiled the collaboration, Chavarria told Sneaker News: "It makes me very proud to be working with a company that really respects and uplifts culture in the most real way".latimes+2

However, critics have pointed out that despite the shoe's "Oaxaca" branding, it appears to be manufactured in China rather than Mexico, raising questions about authenticity and benefit to local communities. Some have also noted that the design may be more closely tied to Michoacán's huarache tradition than Oaxaca's specific style.latimes

Legal Framework Strengthens Protection

This dispute represents the latest test of Mexico's Federal Law for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Peoples and Communities, enacted in January 2022. The legislation establishes penalties ranging from substantial fines to prison sentences for unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions.wikipedia+1

The law followed years of confrontations between Mexican authorities and international brands including Zara, Anthropologie, Patowl, Carolina Herrera, and Isabel Marant over designs allegedly copied from Indigenous communities. In a rare success story, Japanese brand Comme des Garçons recently negotiated compensation with Mexican artisans after using serape designs, marking what experts called an "unprecedented" resolution.timesofindia.indiatimes+2

As Mexico increasingly asserts legal protection for its cultural heritage, the Adidas case could set an important precedent for how global brands must engage with Indigenous communities before commercializing traditional designs.