Adidas Faces Backlash in Mexico Over Sandal-Inspired Shoe Design

Adidas is under fire in Mexico after unveiling a new shoe that officials say copies traditional Indigenous designs without giving proper credit.

The shoe in question, the “Oaxaca Slip-On,” was created in collaboration with Willy Chavarria, a US designer of Mexican descent. The design is clearly inspired by huaraches, a traditional type of leather sandal deeply rooted in the Zapotec culture of Oaxaca, southern Mexico.

Unveiled during an Adidas Originals event in Puerto Rico, Chavarria described the design as a tribute to Chicano culture, saying he was proud to work with a brand that “uplifts culture in the most real way.” But back in Mexico, the reaction was anything but proud.

Oaxaca Government Calls It Cultural Theft

Oaxaca’s governor, Salomon Jara, has strongly criticized Adidas, accusing the company of cultural appropriation. In a video posted on social media, Jara said the shoe design “copies traditional huaraches without permission or proper acknowledgment.”

“These shoes represent more than fashion,” he said. “They are a symbol of the culture, history, and identity of Indigenous communities, especially the Zapotec people of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag.”

The state’s Ministry of Cultures and Arts is now demanding Adidas:

Suspend the sale of the Oaxaca Slip-On

Publicly acknowledge the design’s Indigenous origins

Open a dialogue with the Yalalag community for redress

They also reminded the public that Indigenous culture is not a free resource for profit — it must be treated with respect and reciprocity.

Could Legal Action Follow?

Governor Jara has even threatened to pursue legal action against both Adidas and Willy Chavarria if the issue is not addressed properly.

This comes as Mexico strengthens protections for Indigenous and Afro-Mexican cultural heritage. A federal law passed in 2022 now makes it illegal to commercially exploit Indigenous designs without permission — with potential fines or prison time for violators.

Adidas Has Faced Similar Controversies Before

This isn’t the first time Adidas has been accused of cultural insensitivity. In 2022, the brand was criticised by Morocco’s culture ministry for incorporating traditional Moroccan zellige mosaic patterns into Algeria’s football jerseys without credit. Adidas initially denied the claim but later admitted to being inspired by Moroccan design.

As of now, Adidas and Chavarria have not responded to the latest accusations over the Oaxaca Slip-On.