US EditionOaxaca Accuses Adidas of Cultural Appropriation over New Shoe Model and Threatens Legal Action
OAXACA, MEXICO, AUG 7 – Oaxaca authorities accuse Adidas of exploiting Indigenous Zapotec huarache designs without permission, citing Mexican law that imposes fines and prison for unauthorized cultural use.
- Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz accused Adidas and designer Willy Chavarria of copying traditional huarache sandals from the Hidalgo Yalalag community in a press conference this week.
- The allegation arose after Adidas unveiled the Oaxaca Slip-On sandal, inspired by Indigenous craftsmanship, without community consent or acknowledgment.
- Oaxaca’s Ministry of Cultures and Arts called on Adidas to suspend the sale of the sandals, formally acknowledge the design’s Indigenous roots, and start discussions on reparations with the Yalalag community amid broader issues of cultural appropriation.
- Governor Salomón Jara Cruz pledged to work with the Yalalag community to take legal measures, emphasizing the importance of protecting their traditional huarache designs, while Adidas and designer Willy Chavarría have yet to comment publicly.
- The dispute highlights ongoing tensions as Indigenous groups seek stricter protections against multinational brands exploiting cultural heritage without permission or benefit.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Willy Chavarría is a designer recognized for his participation in New York’s Fashion Week and more recently for designing a footwear marked by his resemblance to the traditional huaraches of a Oaxacan town. Chavarría and Adidas presented the ‘Oaxaca Slip on’ model without authorization and without giving credit to the community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag, whose footwear was used as a basis for the development of this model. He collaborated with di…
Mexico accuses Adidas of cultural appropriation over shoe design
The "Oaxaca Slip-On" was created as part of a collaboration between Adidas Originals and US designer Willy Chavarria. Oaxaca state authorities said the company did not acknowledge the design's indigenous origins.
By Veronica Calderon, Isa Cardona and Michael Rios, CNN The Mexican state of Oaxaca is threatening legal action against Adidas, accusing the footwear company of cultural appropriation over a newly introduced shoe that resembles a traditional, handmade sandal. The “Oaxaca Slip-On,” touted as a collaboration between American designer Willy Chavarría and Adidas Originals, features a woven leather upper, open heel, and thick rubber sole. In the eyes…
Oaxaca threatens legal action against Adidas for its ‘Oaxaca Slip-On’ sandal
Oaxaca’s state government has announced plans to file a legal complaint against Adidas and Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarría, citing the alleged unauthorized use of the name “Oaxaca” and of traditional huarache designs in the company’s newly launched Oaxaca Slip-On sandal. Governor Salomón Jara Cruz’s legal threat on Tuesday was the latest charge of cultural appropriation emanating from Oaxaca. Earlier this year, a group of 300 Oaxacan a…
The governor of Oaxaca, Solomon Jara Cruz, reported that a possible complaint for the alleged cultural appropriation of Adidas is being analyzed.
The government of Oaxaca, through the Secretariat of Cultures and Arts (Seculta), assured that the brand Adidas has appropriated various cultural elements of the entity for its launch "Oaxaca Slip-On". The post Government of Oaxaca and Secretariat of Culture demand to stop sale of huaraches of Adidas first appeared on SinEmbargo MX.Read the full text in sinembargo.mx
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