Adidas, working with fellow Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarría, faced a backlash last week for their newly released “Oaxaca Slip-On” sneaker.… officials in the Mexican state of Oaxaca… cultural appropriation. The silhouette includes a plaited leather upper, open back and chunky platform rubber sole. The outrage sparked when the indigenous community saw that Nike’s shoe closely paralleled the classic “huarache” sandal. This colorful, artisanal footwear is created by the Zapotec culture of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag.
The noise around the “Oaxaca Slip-On” has helped to catalyze a larger conversation about cultural appropriation and the need to honor and recognize Indigenous craftsmanship. Mexico’s newly inaugurated President Claudia Sheinbaum took up the issue immediately. She highlighted how often big corporations take advantage of the designs and creative efforts of Indigenous communities.
Too often, multinational corporations steal products, ideas and designs from Indigenous peoples across the world, including here at home. She stated. She emphasized the need for protections, declaring that “the creativity of an Indigenous people is not usurped.”
After the backlash, Adidas and Chavarría both apologized for what they considered an act of cultural appropriation. Chavarría expressed regret, stating that he was “deeply sorry that the shoe was appropriated in this design and not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community.” Adidas reaffirmed their commitment to engage in respectful dialogue with the community, saying, “We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural legacy.”
Marina Núñez Bespalova, Mexico’s Deputy Secretary of Cultural Development, announced during President Sheinbaum’s morning press conference that Adidas and the Oaxaca government are expected to hold discussions aimed at compensating the Indigenous community affected by this incident. Furthermore, she revealed plans for new legislation to ensure that “the creativity of an Indigenous people is not usurped,” a move that reflects Mexico’s increasing vigilance regarding unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions.
This incident fits into a larger, dangerous pattern. Retailers like Zara, Anthropologie, and Patowl have all recently come under fire for cultural appropriation. Mexico has even enacted legislation imposing hefty fines and prison sentences for unauthorized use of Indigenous designs, underscoring the importance of respecting cultural heritage.
This moment is a reminder that, while art can and should be inspired by other cultures, there is a fine line between inspiration and appropriation. The discussions around cultural sensitivity and respect are far from over. Adidas and Chavarría now confront the difficult questions of how to honor Indigenous communities while protecting their creative expressions.
