Key Takeaways
- Mexico challenges Adidas over the Adidas Oaxaca Slip On, alleging unauthorized use of Indigenous huarache sandal designs.
- The shoe, designed by Willy Chavarria, is made in China and sold globally, with no direct benefit to Oaxaca’s artisans.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government is reviewing legal action to support Indigenous communities.
- Advocates warn of a broader pattern of cultural appropriation by global fashion brands, citing previous disputes with Zara and Louis Vuitton.
- The case could set a legal precedent for protecting traditional designs in international markets.
MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s government is pressing Adidas to compensate Indigenous artisans in Oaxaca, accusing the German sportswear giant of profiting from traditional sandal designs without credit or payment in the creation of the Adidas Oaxaca Slip On.
The slip-on, designed by Mexican-American creative Willy Chavarria, pairs a sneaker sole with the woven leather style of Oaxaca’s centuries-old huarache sandals. Produced in China and sold globally, it has drawn criticism from officials and heritage advocates who say it exploits a craft that belongs to Indigenous communities.
“Big companies often take products, ideas and designs from Indigenous communities,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday, adding that her administration is reviewing legal options to support the artisans. Deputy Culture Minister Marina Núñez confirmed Adidas has contacted Oaxacan officials to discuss restitution for those “whose designs were plagiarized.”
Mexico’s Legal Push Against the Adidas Oaxaca Slip On
Advocates say the case reflects a broader pattern of cultural appropriation by global fashion brands. “These are living traditions that represent identity and livelihoods,” said Carolina García, a researcher at Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. “When brands profit without acknowledging or compensating these communities, it becomes another form of exploitation.”
Mexico has previously challenged Zara-owner Inditex, Louis Vuitton and other luxury labels over the use of Indigenous motifs. Under Mexican law, designs from Indigenous communities are part of the country’s collective heritage, granting them protections against unauthorized commercial use. Enforcement, however, is complicated when production and sales occur abroad.
Cultural Heritage at Stake in Oaxaca’s Sandal Designs
The huarache, a handwoven leather sandal with deep roots in Oaxaca’s Indigenous culture, is both a utilitarian shoe and a symbol of regional identity. Each pair requires hours of labor by artisans, many of whom rely on the craft for income.
“Oaxaca’s artisans are up against global supply chains that can churn out thousands of copies overnight,” said Beatriz López, director of the NGO Rights for Artisans. “Negotiated restitution is welcome, but without stronger cross-border protections, this will keep happening.”
Why the Adidas Oaxaca Slip On Faces Backlash
Critics argue that branding a mass-produced shoe with the name “Oaxaca” risks diluting the cultural value of the huarache while diverting revenue away from its originators. The Adidas Oaxaca Slip On, they say, reflects a familiar corporate playbook in which heritage is commodified without meaningful benefit to the source community.
Chavarria, who has used his fashion work to highlight Latino and political themes, has defended the design as an homage. “I’m very proud to work with a company that really respects and elevates culture in the truest way,” he told sneaker outlet Sneaker News. Adidas has not issued a public statement.
Protecting Indigenous Designs in Global Fashion
The outcome could set a precedent for safeguarding traditional crafts in the global market. From Peru’s Andean textiles to India’s handloom saris, governments are testing legal and diplomatic tools to shield artisans from uncredited replication.
For now, Mexico’s culture ministry is betting on a combination of public pressure and the threat of legal action to push Adidas toward a settlement that benefits the artisans whose work inspired the Adidas Oaxaca Slip On.
