Mexican authorities accuse Adidas of cultural appropriation after release of sandal design similar to their traditional footwear

Thursday, August 7, 2025 - Officials in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca have accused global sportswear brand Adidas of cultural appropriation following the release of a new sandal design bearing a striking resemblance to traditional Indigenous footwear from the region.

The sandals, dubbed the “Oaxaca Slip-On,” were created in collaboration with American fashion designer Willy Chavarria, who is of Mexican heritage. Despite this, the design has triggered backlash from state and local authorities, particularly for its resemblance to the huarache, a centuries-old handmade leather sandal with deep cultural significance in Indigenous communities.

Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara addressed the issue at a press conference on Tuesday, describing the Adidas product as a “reinterpreted huarache model” and emphasising that its design is unique to the Hidalgo Yalalag village in the state’s Indigenous region. He warned of possible legal action, stating, “This huarache is from Yalalag… we are also going to ask our Yalalag siblings to work with us so we can file a complaint.”

Isaias Carranza, a legislator of Indigenous Zapotec descent, echoed the criticism on social media, accusing Adidas and Chavarria of exploiting a cultural design without consent. “The Adidas company, in conjunction with designer Willy Chavarria, appropriated a unique design of the traditional huaraches from the people of the Hidalgo Yalalag village,” he posted on Facebook.

In a separate statement, Oaxaca’s Ministry of Cultures and Arts condemned the commercial use of cultural elements without prior consultation or approval from the originating communities. It called on Adidas to halt sales of the sandals, publicly recognise their origin, and initiate a process of dialogue and reparations with the Yalalag community. “Using cultural elements for commercial purposes without the consent of Indigenous peoples is a violation of our collective rights,” the ministry said.

This controversy follows several similar incidents in recent years where Mexican officials have accused global brands such as Shein, Zara, and Carolina Herrera of exploiting Indigenous designs for commercial gain without proper acknowledgment or benefit to the communities from which they originate.

Adidas has not yet issued a public response to the allegations.