US designer regrets ‘appropriated’ Adidas sneakers – DW – 08/10/2025

US designer Willy Chavarria has expressed remorse on Saturday, after his newest design in collaboration with Adidas Originals brought on vast controversy in Mexico.

Authorities within the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca have complained that new sandals which bear the title of the state “reinterpreted” a mannequin uniquely discovered within the space, referred to as the huarache sandals.

Mexico’s authorities on Friday introduced it was in search of compensation from Adidas, whereas native authorities angrily accused the design, and its designer and producer by extension, of cultural appropriation.

What did Chavarria, Adidas say in regards to the Oaxaca Slip-Ons?

Chavarria, whose father is a Mexican-American, addressed the controversy on Saturday.

“I deeply remorse that this design has appropriated the title and was not developed in direct and significant partnership with the Oaxacan group,” Chavarria mentioned in an announcement.

He acknowledged that the sandals “didn’t stay as much as the respect and collaborative method” deserved by the group of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, from the place the design is alleged to have originated.

Native authorities have known as on Adidas to withdraw the mannequin.

The German athletic company mentioned in a Friday letter it “deeply values the cultural wealth of Mexico’s Indigenous folks and acknowledges the relevance” of the criticisms. It requested to take a seat down with native officers and to debate the way it can “restore the harm” to Indigenous populations.

How did Mexican authorities tackle the Oaxaca controversy?

On Friday, the Mexican authorities mentioned Adidas had agreed to satisfy with Oaxaca authorities.

“It is collective mental property. There should be compensation. The heritage regulation should be complied with,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned throughout her common morning press convention Friday.

The incident is barely the most recent in a string of rows between Mexico and vogue powerhouses it has accused of appropriating Indigenous cultures with excessive avenue designs.

Handicrafts function an important financial income in Mexico, the place almost half 1,000,000 folks throughout the nation make a dwelling out of handmade merchandise. 

Some 10% of Mexico’s gross home merchandise in states together with Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacan and Guerrero are owed to the trade.

Edited by: Sean Sinico