Culture

Mexico: Adidas Faces Backlash Over Indigenous Sandal Design

Published AUG 11 2025

Story

Above: Fashion designer Willy Chavarria at the Adidas Originals and Dazed Paris Fashion Week dinner on June 22, 2024. Image credit: Darren Gerrish/Getty Images

The Facts

U.S. fashion designer Willy Chavarria apologized after his collaboration with Adidas Originals on the Oaxaca Slip-On shoe was criticized for alleged cultural appropriation of traditional Mexican huarache sandals made by Indigenous artisans.
BBC News
The Globe and Mail
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Adidas was in talks with Oaxaca state authorities to provide compensation for artisans who were "plagiarized" and that her government was preparing legal reforms to prevent the copying of Mexican handicrafts.
NBC
Fashion Network
The controversial shoe design features thin leather straps braided in a style similar to traditional Mexican huaraches but with a chunky sports shoe sole, and was reportedly manufactured in China without consultation with the originating communities.
EuroNews
Daily Mail
Handicrafts provide jobs for approximately half a million people across Mexico and account for around 10% of the gross domestic product in states like Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacán and Guerrero.
Al Jazeera
Arise News
Oaxaca state officials demanded the withdrawal of the shoe and a public apology from Adidas, with Governor Salomon Jara Cruz stating that "creative inspiration" is not justified for using cultural expressions that provide identity to communities.
Politico
Daily Mail
Both Adidas and Chavarria removed promotional material for the Oaxaca Slip-On from their social media platforms following the backlash, with Adidas requesting discussions to "repair the damage" to affected Indigenous populations.
Dw.Com
US News & World Report
EuroNews

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The Spin

Narrative A

The Oaxaca Slip-On represents another case of major corporations exploiting Indigenous designs for profit while leaving original creators empty-handed. Traditional artisans spend years perfecting their craft, creating authentic huaraches by hand, only to watch mass-produced imitations flood the market. This isn't just about one shoe — it's about protecting cultural heritage from being commodified by global brands that manufacture overseas and pocket the profits.

Los Angeles Times

NBC

Narrative B

Chavarria's collaboration aimed to celebrate and elevate Mexican culture through high-profile fashion partnerships that bring Indigenous designs to global audiences. The designer, who has Mexican heritage, intended to honor Oaxacan communities and has shown commitment to social causes throughout his career. Fashion collaborations can create valuable cultural bridges when done respectfully, and both parties have expressed willingness to make amends through proper dialogue and compensation.