Latest news with #VillaHidalgoYalálag


Asharq Al-Awsat
7 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Adidas Apologizes for Sandal Appropriating Indigenous Mexican Design
Adidas has formally apologized after Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the sportswear brand over a shoe that replicated traditional Indigenous huarache sandals without attributing the design or crediting artisans. The misstep comes shortly after Prada triggered a widespread backlash in India when its Milan fashion show debuted a sandal replicating Kolhapuri slippers, highlighting the increased scrutiny multinational brands face over the origin of their designs. "The 'Oaxaca slip-on' was inspired by a design from Oaxaca, rooted in the tradition of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag," Adidas said in a statement. "We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural legacy." Sheinbaum said on Friday that her administration is looking into legal ways of supporting Indigenous communities whose designs are taken by big companies, after Oaxaca officials criticized the Adidas shoe. The Oaxaca slip-on, launched five days ago by Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria with Adidas, features a black sneaker sole topped with the leather weave typical of Mexico's huarache sandals. Chavarria said on Saturday he was "deeply sorry that the shoe was appropriated in this design and not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community".


CTV News
11-08-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Adidas and designer Willy Chavarria apologize to Mexican Indigenous community for ‘appropriated' shoe
The sportswear firm Adidas and Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarría have apologized after a Mexican state accused them of cultural appropriation over the design of a new shoe. The 'Oaxaca Slip-On,' billed as a collaboration between Chavarría and Adidas Originals, featured a woven leather surface, open heel and thick rubber sole. Officials in the Mexican state of Oaxaca accused Adidas last week of copying the 'huarache' handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag. Adidas and Chavarría have since acknowledged that it was inspired by a design from that state and have issued formal apologies over it. 'We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural legacy,' Adidas said in a statement to CNN on Monday. Chavarría said separately 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.' The designer, who is known for championing 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 communities. The design caused an uproar throughout Mexico – so much so that President Claudia Sheinbaum was moved to comment. 'Many times, large companies take products, ideas and designs from Indigenous communities in our country,' she said Friday, adding that her government would work on a new law that guarantees 'the creativity of an Indigenous people is not usurped.' The country had previously passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences. It was passed after companies including Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl faced similar backlash over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works. Adidas and the Oaxaca government were expected to hold talks focused on compensating the Indigenous community, Mexico's Deputy Secretary of Cultural Development Marina Núñez Bespalova said Friday. 'Adidas has already contacted the Oaxaca government, and talks will begin with the support of the Ministry of Culture through (the National Copyright Institute), as required by the Heritage Law,' she said. By Michael Rios.


CNN
11-08-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Adidas, designer apologize to Mexican Indigenous community for ‘appropriated' shoe
The sportswear firm Adidas and Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarría have apologized after a Mexican state accused them of cultural appropriation over the design of a new shoe. The 'Oaxaca Slip-On,' billed as a collaboration between Chavarría and Adidas Originals, featured a woven leather surface, open heel and thick rubber sole. Officials in the Mexican state of Oaxaca accused Adidas last week of copying the 'huarache' handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag. Adidas and Chavarría have since acknowledged that it was inspired by a design from that state and have issued formal apologies over it. 'We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural legacy,' Adidas said in a statement to CNN on Monday. Chavarría said separately 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.' The designer, who is known for championing 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 communities. The design caused an uproar throughout Mexico – so much so that President Claudia Sheinbaum was moved to comment. 'Many times, large companies take products, ideas and designs from Indigenous communities in our country,' she said Friday, adding that her government would work on a new law that guarantees 'the creativity of an Indigenous people is not usurped.' The country had previously passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences. It was passed after companies including Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl faced similar backlash over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works. Adidas and the Oaxaca government were expected to hold talks focused on compensating the Indigenous community, Mexico's Deputy Secretary of Cultural Development Marina Núñez Bespalova said Friday. 'Adidas has already contacted the Oaxaca government, and talks will begin with the support of the Ministry of Culture through (the National Copyright Institute), as required by the Heritage Law,' she said. CNN's Isa Cardona and Verónica Calderón contributed to this report.


CNN
11-08-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Adidas, designer apologize to Mexican Indigenous community for ‘appropriated' shoe
MexicoFacebookTweetLink Follow The sportswear firm Adidas and Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarría have apologized after a Mexican state accused them of cultural appropriation over the design of a new shoe. The 'Oaxaca Slip-On,' billed as a collaboration between Chavarría and Adidas Originals, featured a woven leather surface, open heel and thick rubber sole. Officials in the Mexican state of Oaxaca accused Adidas last week of copying the 'huarache' handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag. Adidas and Chavarría have since acknowledged that it was inspired by a design from that state and have issued formal apologies over it. 'We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural legacy,' Adidas said in a statement to CNN on Monday. Chavarría said separately 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.' The designer, who is known for championing 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 communities. The design caused an uproar throughout Mexico – so much so that President Claudia Sheinbaum was moved to comment. 'Many times, large companies take products, ideas and designs from Indigenous communities in our country,' she said Friday, adding that her government would work on a new law that guarantees 'the creativity of an Indigenous people is not usurped.' The country had previously passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences. It was passed after companies including Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl faced similar backlash over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works. Adidas and the Oaxaca government were expected to hold talks focused on compensating the Indigenous community, Mexico's Deputy Secretary of Cultural Development Marina Núñez Bespalova said Friday. 'Adidas has already contacted the Oaxaca government, and talks will begin with the support of the Ministry of Culture through (the National Copyright Institute), as required by the Heritage Law,' she said. CNN's Isa Cardona and Verónica Calderón contributed to this report.
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Adidas apologises for sandal appropriating Indigenous Mexican design
LONDON (Reuters) -Adidas has formally apologised after Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum criticised the sportswear brand over a shoe that replicated traditional Indigenous huarache sandals without attributing the design or crediting artisans. The misstep comes shortly after Prada triggered a widespread backlash in India when its Milan fashion show debuted a sandal replicating Kolhapuri slippers, highlighting the increased scrutiny multinational brands face over the origin of their designs. "The 'Oaxaca slip-on' was inspired by a design from Oaxaca, rooted in the tradition of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag," Adidas said in a statement. "We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that honours their cultural legacy." Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday that her administration is looking into legal ways of supporting Indigenous communities whose designs are taken by big companies, after Oaxaca officials criticised the Adidas shoe. The Oaxaca slip-on, launched five days ago by Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria with Adidas, features a black sneaker sole topped with the leather weave typical of Mexico's huarache sandals. Chavarria said on Saturday he was "deeply sorry that the shoe was appropriated in this design and not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community". Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data