• Adidas is accused of cultural appropriation regarding its new sandal design resembling traditional huaraches.
• Mexican authorities demand Adidas withdraw the "Oaxaca Slip-On" and apologize to Indigenous communities.
• Designer Willy Chavarria expressed regret and admitted the design did not respect traditional artisans.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum supports legal reforms to protect Indigenous designs.
• Adidas has pledged to engage with local communities to address concerns.

Mexican authorities are accusing Adidas of cultural appropriation after the release of the "Oaxaca Slip-On," a sandal inspired by traditional Indigenous footwear known as huaraches. The accusations highlight concerns over the footwear's design similarities to local artisan work in Oaxaca, prompting local officials to request the withdrawal of the model. President Claudia Sheinbaum communicated that Adidas is currently in discussions with Oaxaca officials to ensure proper compensation for the impacted artisans, with proposed legal reforms underway to safeguard against the unauthorized use of traditional designs, according to latimes.

The controversy surrounding Adidas deepened when designer Willy Chavarria acknowledged that the "Oaxaca Slip-On" failed to respect the cultural heritage of the Zapotec Indigenous communities. Chavarria admitted that the sandals were developed without a meaningful partnership with these communities, stating, "I deeply regret that this design has appropriated the name and was not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community," according to indiatimes and bbc.

In a broader context, this incident continues a pattern of backlash against global fashion brands for appropriating Indigenous designs while failing to give credit or compensate original creators. Mexican authorities noted that handicrafts provide vital economic support for artisans across multiple Mexican states, comprising a significant part of their economy. This particular incident raises ongoing concerns about respecting the creative rights of local artists and Indigenous communities, as echoed by Sheinbaum’s critique of how large corporations often utilize cultural expressions without appropriate acknowledgment, according to latimes and bbc.

Adidas has publicly stated its commitment to valuing the cultural wealth of Mexico's Indigenous populations. In a letter responding to the controversy, the company expressed a desire to negotiate with local officials about how to "repair the damage" caused by the appropriation of local culture, aiming for a constructive dialogue moving forward, as reported by indiatimes and bbc.