Mexican authorities accuse Adidas of copying traditional indigenous sandals

Mexican authorities have accused sportswear company Adidas of plagiarizing artisans from southern Mexico, saying the design of its new sandals is strikingly similar to traditional indigenous footwear known as huaraches.

This has prompted accusations of cultural appropriation against Adidas, and Mexican authorities say it is not the first time that traditional Mexican handicrafts have been copied. Citing these concerns, local authorities have asked Adidas to withdraw the shoe model.

The design at the center of the controversy is the "Oaxaca slip-on" sandal created by American designer Willy Chavarria for Adidas Originals. The sandals feature intertwined thin leather straps that clearly resemble traditional Mexican huarache sandals. Instead of a leather sole, the Adidas sandals have a thicker sole that resembles a sneaker.

According to Mexican authorities, the Adidas design incorporates elements that are part of the cultural heritage of the Zapotec indigenous communities in Oaxaca, particularly in the town of Villa Idalogo de Jalalag. Handicrafts are an important part of economic life in Mexico, providing jobs for around half a million people across the country. The industry represents around 10 percent of the GDP of states such as Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacan and Guerrero.

Virdiana Harkin Garcia, who makes and sells huaraches in the state capital, said the Oaxaca Adidas sandals are "cheap copies" of footwear that is painstakingly and carefully crafted by Mexican artists.

"Art is being lost, we are losing our tradition," she said outside her small leather sandal shop.

Oaxaca authorities have asked Adidas to withdraw its sandals and issue a public apology, citing cultural appropriation that could violate Mexican law.

Adidas responded in a letter yesterday afternoon, saying the company deeply values the cultural richness of Mexico's indigenous people and recognizes the importance of the criticism. The company requested a meeting with local officials to discuss how it could "repair the harm" caused to the indigenous population.

This dispute follows years of efforts by the Mexican government and artisans to resist global clothing brands that they say copy traditional designs.

Mexican authorities say they are trying to develop stricter regulations in an effort to protect artists. They also want to establish guidelines so as not to deprive artists of the opportunity to trade or collaborate with some of these companies, which have a very wide commercial reach.