Adidas under fire for alleged cultural appropriation in new shoe design, authorities in Mexico contemplate taking the company to court
In a recent development, the sports apparel giant Adidas has found itself at the centre of a cultural appropriation controversy over its newly unveiled shoe, the Oaxaca Slip-On.
The shoe, a collaboration between American designer Willy Chavarria and Adidas Originals, has been accused of replicating the traditional handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag [2][4]. The design features a woven leather surface, open heel, and thick rubber sole, which closely resembles the traditional huarache sandal [6].
Local authorities in Oaxaca, Mexico, including Governor Salomón Jara Cruz, have accused Adidas and Chavarria of copying the Yalalag design without permission or crediting the community [1][7]. Governor Jara Cruz has demanded that Adidas withdraw the shoe, engage in talks with the Indigenous community, and publicly recognize the Yalalag as the originators of the design [3].
Adidas has not responded to a CNN request for comment or issued a public statement addressing the controversy [5]. However, Chavarría has expressed regret for using the name "Oaxaca" and acknowledged that the design was not developed in "direct and meaningful partnership" with the Oaxacan community [1]. He has also expressed openness to dialogue with the affected Indigenous communities.
The dispute over the Oaxaca Slip-On adds to a growing number of cases in Mexico where Indigenous communities have accused international designers and brands of replicating their work without permission [9]. In recent years, companies like Zara, Anthropologie, and Patowl have faced similar backlashes over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works [9].
The Mexican government has passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences [8]. The IMPI's potential ruling in favor of Oaxaca could potentially block Adidas from selling the Oaxaca Slip-On in Mexico [10]. One option for the Oaxacan government is to file a formal complaint with the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI), Mexico's federal agency for intellectual property protection [11].
Governor Jara Cruz has pledged legal support for Villa Hidalgo Yalalag and has spoken with community members about taking action against Adidas [7]. He has also threatened legal action against the company, indicating that the Oaxacan government is ready to pursue compensation for the unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural elements and the commercial exploitation without proper credit or benefit-sharing with the community [1][3][4].
In conclusion, the Oaxaca Slip-On sandal by Adidas has faced cultural appropriation accusations from the Oaxacan community. Local authorities in Oaxaca, Mexico, have charged Adidas and the shoe’s designer, Willy Chavarria, with appropriating the traditional huarache sandal design specific to Indigenous communities in Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. Legal consequences being pursued include potential lawsuits and demands for financial compensation in Mexico. Adidas and Chavarria have issued apologies and expressed openness to dialogue with the affected Indigenous communities.
The Oaxaca Slip-On sandal controversy, involving Adidas and designer Willy Chavarria, is not confined to just the Americas, as it has sparked a global discussion on cultural appropriation in the world of finance and business. The unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural elements in the design of the sandal has led to potential lawsuits and demands for financial compensation, highlighting the global implications of such practices.
