Fashion designer Chavarria apologized after his collaboration with Adidas Original was charged by authorities in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, the largest producer of Huaraches, with appropriating the traditional design of the region’s huarache sandals, although there are many “original designs.”
Adidas also apologized in a letter and plans to meet with Mexican officials to explore potential compensation to Indigenous populations.
Following the apology, local authorities complained that the Oaxaca Slip-On sandals were a “reinterpreted” model of huarache sandals, particularly one found uniquely in the area, which has one of the highest Indigenous populations in the country. Mexico’s government said on Friday, August 8, it was seeking compensation from Adidas, according to a report from Reuters.
Chavarria, born in the United States and of Mexican heritage, said in a statement posted on Saturday, August 9:
“To the people of Oaxaca — I want to speak from the heart about the Oaxaca slip-on I created with Adidas. The intention was always to honor the powerful cultural and artistic spirit of Oaxaca and its creative communities — a place whose beauty and resistance have inspired me. The name ‘Oaxaca’ is not just a word; it’s living culture, it’s people, and it’s history. I am deeply sorry that the shoe was appropriated in this design and not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community. This falls short of the respect and collaborative approach that Oaxaca, the Zapotec community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and its people deserve. I know love is not just given — it is earned through action. With respect, Willy Chavarria.”
Adidas stated in a letter dated Friday, August 8, that it “deeply values the cultural wealth of Mexico’s Indigenous people and recognizes the relevance” of the criticisms. The company requested to sit down with local officials and to discuss how it can “repair the damage” to Indigenous populations.
In response, on Friday, the Mexican government said Adidas had agreed to meet with Oaxaca authorities.
“It’s collective intellectual property. There must be compensation. The heritage law must be complied with,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said during her regular morning press conference Friday.
Other designers and companies accused of appropriating Indigenous Mexican designs include Shein, Zara, Anthropologie, Patowl, Zimmerman, Isabel Marant, Carolina Herrera, Mango, and Pippa Holt.
Images courtesy Adidas / Huarache Blog
