Latest news with #SalomónJaraCruz
Politico
3 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Mexican authorities accuse Adidas of cultural appropriation in sandal design
For Viridiana Jarquín García, a huaraches creator and vendor in Oaxaca's capital, the Adidas shoes were a 'cheap copy' of the kind of work that Mexican artists take time and care to craft. 'The artistry is being lost. We're losing our tradition,' she said in front of her small booth of leather shoes. Authorities in Oaxaca have called for the 'Oaxaca Slip-On' to be withdrawn and demanded a public apology from Adidas, with officials describing the design as 'cultural appropriation' that may violate Mexican law. In a public letter to Adidas leadership, Oaxaca state Gov. Salomón Jara Cruz criticized the company's design, saying that 'creative inspiration' is not a valid justification for using cultural expressions that 'provide identity to communities.' 'Culture isn't sold, it's respected,' he added. Adidas responded in a letter Friday afternoon, saying that the company 'deeply values the cultural wealth of Mexico's Indigenous people and recognizes the relevance' of the criticisms. It requested to sit down with local officials and to discuss how it can 'repair the damage' to Indigenous populations. The controversy follows years of efforts by Mexico's government and artisans to push back on major global clothing brands who they say copy traditional designs. In 2021, the federal government asked manufacturers including Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl to provide a public explanation for why they copied clothing designs from Oaxaca's Indigenous communities to sell in their stores. Now, Mexican authorities say they're trying to work out stricter regulations in an effort to protect artists. But Marina Núñez, Mexico's undersecretary of cultural development, noted that they also want to establish guidelines to not deprive artists of 'the opportunity to trade or collaborate with several of these companies that have very broad commercial reach.'
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Mexican authorities fire off letter to Adidas, accuse it of cultural appropriation in sandal design
Mexican authorities have accused sportswear company Adidas of copying a traditional indigenous sandal design in a new product, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The design in question, called the 'Oaxaca Slip-On,' was created for Adidas Originals by US designer Willy Chavarría. It features thin braided leather straps similar to those found on traditional huaraches made by artisans in the southern state of Oaxaca. The Adidas version uses a thicker sports shoe sole instead of the flat leather sole. According to Mexican officials, the design includes elements that form part of the cultural heritage of the Zapotec Indigenous communities in Oaxaca, particularly from the town of Villa Hidalgo de Yalálag. Handicrafts are an important source of income in Mexico, employing around half a million people nationwide. Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz sent a public letter to Adidas leadership criticising the design. 'Creative inspiration is not a valid justification for using cultural expressions that provide identity to communities,' he wrote, adding: 'Culture isn't sold, it's respected.' Local artisan Viridiana Jarquín García, who makes and sells huaraches in Oaxaca City, told AP the Adidas model was a 'cheap copy' of work that takes time and care to make. 'The artistry is being lost. We're losing our tradition,' she said. #México acusa a #Adidas de apropiación cultural Las autoridades de Oaxaca denuncian que las nuevas sandalias 'Oaxaca Slip-On' de la marca alemana, inspiradas en huaraches zapotecos de Villa Hidalgo Yalálag, no dan crédito ni involucran a los artesanos de la región. /trc — DW Español (@dw_espanol) August 7, 2025 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Adidas was already in talks with Oaxaca state authorities to provide 'compensation for the people who were plagiarised' and that her government was preparing legal reforms to prevent the copying of traditional designs. Adidas responded in a letter on Friday saying it 'deeply values the cultural wealth of Mexico's Indigenous people and recognises the relevance' of the concerns. The company asked to meet officials to discuss how it could 'repair the damage' to Indigenous populations. Authorities in Oaxaca have demanded Adidas withdraw the 'Oaxaca Slip-On' from sale and issue a public apology. The dispute is part of a wider push by Mexico to protect Indigenous designs. In 2021, the federal government asked brands including Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl to explain why they were selling products based on designs from Oaxaca's Indigenous communities without permission.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Mexican state accuses Adidas of cultural appropriation over new shoe, threatens legal action
By Isa Cardona , Veronica Calderon , Michael Rios , CNN Adidas is yet to issue a statement addressing the controversy. (File photo) Photo: 123rf The Mexican state of Oaxaca is threatening legal action against Adidas, accusing the footwear company of cultural appropriation over a newly unveiled shoe that resembles a traditional handmade sandal. The "Oaxaca Slip-On," billed as a collaboration between American designer Willy Chavarria and Adidas Originals, features a woven leather surface, open heel, and thick rubber sole - and, in the eyes of the Oaxaca government, bears more than a passing resemblance to the "huarache" handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. Oaxacan Governor Salomón Jara Cruz accused the company of copying the Yalalag design without asking permission or crediting the community. He also demanded that Adidas withdraw the shoe, engage in talks with the Indigenous community and publicly recognize the Yalalag as the originators of the design. "This is not just a design, it is about the culture, history and identity of an original (people) and we will not allow it to be treated as merchandise," he said in a video posted on X. He pledged "legal support" for Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and said he had already spoken with members of the community about taking action against the footwear company. Adidas did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment. Neither has it issued a public statement addressing the controversy. One option for the Oaxacan government would be to file a formal complaint with the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI), Mexico's federal agency for intellectual property protection. Were the IMPI to rule in favor of Oaxaca, it could potentially block Adidas from selling the shoe in Mexico. The shoe has not yet been released for sale to the public, but images of it have circulated widely online. Chavarría is known for incorporating Mexican-American identity into his fashion work. CNN has reached out to him for comment. The dispute adds to a growing number of cases in Mexico where Indigenous communities have accused international designers and brands of replicating their work without permission. In recent years, companies like Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl have faced similar backlashes over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works. In response, Mexico has passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences. - CNN
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mexican state accuses Adidas of cultural appropriation over new shoe, threatens legal action
The Mexican state of Oaxaca is threatening legal action against Adidas, accusing the footwear company of cultural appropriation over a newly unveiled shoe that resembles a traditional handmade sandal. The 'Oaxaca Slip-On,' billed as a collaboration between American designer Willy Chavarria and Adidas Originals, features a woven leather surface, open heel, and thick rubber sole – and, in the eyes of the Oaxaca government, bears more than a passing resemblance to the 'huarache' handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. Oaxacan Governor Salomón Jara Cruz on Wednesday accused the company of copying the Yalalag design without asking permission or crediting the community. He also demanded that Adidas withdraw the shoe, engage in talks with the Indigenous community and publicly recognize the Yalalag as the originators of the design. 'This is not just a design, it is about the culture, history and identity of an original (people) and we will not allow it to be treated as merchandise,' he said in a video posted on X. He pledged 'legal support' for Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and said he had already spoken with members of the community about taking action against the footwear company. Adidas did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment. Neither has it issued a public statement addressing the controversy. One option for the Oaxacan government would be to file a formal complaint with the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI), Mexico's federal agency for intellectual property protection. Were the IMPI to rule in favor of Oaxaca, it could potentially block Adidas from selling the shoe in Mexico. The shoe has not yet been released for sale to the public, but images of it have circulated widely online. Chavarría is known for incorporating Mexican-American identity into his fashion work. CNN has reached out to him for comment. The dispute adds to a growing number of cases in Mexico where Indigenous communities have accused international designers and brands of replicating their work without permission. In recent years, companies like Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl have faced similar backlashes over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works. In response, Mexico has passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences.
CNN
6 days ago
- Business
- CNN
Mexican state accuses Adidas of cultural appropriation over new shoe, threatens legal action
MexicoFacebookTweetLink Follow The Mexican state of Oaxaca is threatening legal action against Adidas, accusing the footwear company of cultural appropriation over a newly unveiled shoe that resembles a traditional handmade sandal. The 'Oaxaca Slip-On,' billed as a collaboration between American designer Willy Chavarria and Adidas Originals, features a woven leather surface, open heel, and thick rubber sole – and, in the eyes of the Oaxaca government, bears more than a passing resemblance to the 'huarache' handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. Oaxacan Governor Salomón Jara Cruz on Wednesday accused the company of copying the Yalalag design without asking permission or crediting the community. He also demanded that Adidas withdraw the shoe, engage in talks with the Indigenous community and publicly recognize the Yalalag as the originators of the design. 'This is not just a design, it is about the culture, history and identity of an original (people) and we will not allow it to be treated as merchandise,' he said in a video posted on X. He pledged 'legal support' for Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and said he had already spoken with members of the community about taking action against the footwear company. Adidas did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment. Neither has it issued a public statement addressing the controversy. One option for the Oaxacan government would be to file a formal complaint with the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI), Mexico's federal agency for intellectual property protection. Were the IMPI to rule in favor of Oaxaca, it could potentially block Adidas from selling the shoe in Mexico. The shoe has not yet been released for sale to the public, but images of it have circulated widely online. Chavarría is known for incorporating Mexican-American identity into his fashion work. CNN has reached out to him for comment. The dispute adds to a growing number of cases in Mexico where Indigenous communities have accused international designers and brands of replicating their work without permission. In recent years, companies like Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl have faced similar backlashes over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works. In response, Mexico has passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences.
