Sportswear company Adidas and Mexican-American designer Willie Chavalia apologized after Mexico accused them of cultural appropriation over the design of their new shoes.
The “Oaxaca Slip-On” was billed as a collaboration between Chavalia and Adidas Originals and featured a woven leather surface, open heels and a thick rubber sole.
Officials in Mexico’s Oaxaca state last week accused Adidas of copying “huarache” handmade sandals from the Oaxacan community in Villa Hidalgo Yararag.
Since then, adidas and Chavalia have confirmed that it was inspired by the state’s design and have issued a formal apology for it.
“We provide a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to working with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that respects their cultural heritage,” Adidas said in a statement to CNN on Monday.
“I am deeply sorry that the shoes have been allocated to this design and not developed in a direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community,” Chavalia said individually.
The designer, known for defending Mexican-American culture and incorporating it into his fashion work, added that his intention was to honor the culture and artistry of Oaxaca and its community.
This design caused a fuss all over Mexico. That’s why President Claudia Sheinbaum was moved to comment.
“In many cases, large businesses are taking products, ideas and designs from our country’s Indigenous communities,” she said Friday, adding that her government will tackle new laws that ensure “indigenous creativity is not taken away.”
The country previously passed laws that punished the misuse of indigenous cultural expressions that sentenced fines and sentences. It passed after companies like Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl faced similar backlash against designs and motifs that were perceived to resemble traditional works.
Adidas and the Oaxaca government were expected to hold consultations focused on compensation for indigenous communities, Marina Nunez Vesparova, Mexico’s Deputy Director of Cultural Development, said on Friday.
“Adidas has already contacted the Oaxaca government and consultations will begin with support through the Ministry of Culture (National Copyright Institute), in response to the request of the Heritage Act,” she said.
