Mexican-American designer apologizes for Adidas sandal design accused of cultural appropriation
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Cultural Controversy: Willy Chavarria’s Apology Over Adidas Design
Willy Chavarria has issued an apology for a sandal design he created for Adidas. The sandals feature braided leather similar to the huaraches created by the Zapotec community in Oaxaca.
The sandals, launched as the Oaxaca Slip On, feature braided leather similar to the huaraches created by the Zapotec community in Oaxaca. Officials and local artisans accused the brand of cultural appropriation, sparking discussions on protecting Mexican designs from future exploitation.
Chavarria expressed regret for not collaborating directly with the Oaxacan community, while Adidas pledged a commitment to repairing any damage and engaging respectfully with the artisans.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Designer apologizes for Adidas sandal design
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Mexican-American designer apologizes for Adidas sandal design accused of cultural appropriation
Mexican-American clothing designer Willy Chavarria has apologized for an Adidas sandal he created. He was accused by Mexican authorities of “cultural appropriation” for imitating an Indigenous shoe design. The design, known as the Oaxaca Slip On, is a black sandal with braided leather straps attached to a chunky sports shoe sole. Authorities say the intricate leather braids look strikingly similar to the traditional footwear known as huaraches made by the Zapotec Indigenous people in Oaxacan town of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. They have accused the brand of “cultural appropriation” and of copying the design without the permission of the Indigenous community.
The design launched by Adidas, known as the Oaxaca Slip On, is a black sandal with braided leather straps attached to a chunky sports shoe sole.
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Mexican artisans and authorities say the intricate leather braids look strikingly similar to the traditional footwear known as huaraches made by the Zapotec Indigenous people in Oaxaca, produced mostly in the town of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag.
They have accused the brand and Chavarria of “cultural appropriation” and of copying the design without the permission of the Indigenous community. Authorities were quick to note that cultural Mexican designs have long been copied by major brands before, and said they planned to tighten laws to protect Mexican designs.
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Chavarria responded to mounting criticisms in comments sent to The Associated Press on Tuesday. In a statement addressed to the “people of Oaxaca,” he said that the design was intended to “to honor the powerful cultural and artistic spirit of Oaxaca and its creative communities — a place whose beauty and resistance have inspired me.”
“I am deeply sorry that the shoe was appropriated in this design and not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community,” Chavarria wrote. “This falls short of the respect and collaborative approach that Oaxaca, the Zapotec community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and its people deserve.”
Chavarria is a Mexican-American designer, who has risen to fame for his designs exploring Chicano, or Mexican-American, culture, often mixing Mexican themes with American products. His designs include sweaters reading “Chicano” in red, scripted font, and styles with the Mexican flag and cowboy hats reminiscent of northern Mexican culture.
In recent months, Chavarria also was put in the spotlight for a show at Paris Fashion Week that was intended as criticism of the Trump administration’s deportation policy.
Chavarria’s comments came days after Adidas made a public apology for the design, and in a statement said it was reaffirming “our commitment to collaborate with Yalalag in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural legacy.” Last week, in a letter to Oaxacan state officials, the company requested to sit down with local officials and to discuss how it can “repair the damage” to Indigenous populations.
“Adidas recognizes and values the cultural richness of Mexico’s Indigenous communities and the meaning of their artisanal heritage,” it wrote in a statement.
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Mexican-American designer apologizes for Adidas sandal design accused of cultural appropriation
Designer Willy Chavarria has apologized for an Adidas sandal he created. He was accused by Mexican authorities of “cultural appropriation” for imitating an Indigenous shoe design. The design, known as the Oaxaca Slip On, is a black sandal with braided leather straps attached to a chunky sports shoe sole. Authorities say the intricate leather braids look strikingly similar to the traditional footwear known as huaraches made by the Zapotec Indigenous people in Oaxacan town of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. They have accused the brand of “cultural appropriation” and of copying the design without permission.
The design launched by Adidas, known as the Oaxaca Slip On, is a black sandal with braided leather straps attached to a chunky sports shoe sole.
Mexican artisans and authorities say the intricate leather braids look strikingly similar to the traditional footwear known as huaraches made by the Zapotec Indigenous people in Oaxaca, produced mostly in the town of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag.
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They have accused the brand and Chavarria of “cultural appropriation” and of copying the design without the permission of the Indigenous community. Authorities were quick to note that cultural Mexican designs have long been copied by major brands before, and said they planned to tighten laws to protect Mexican designs.
Chavarria responded to mounting criticisms in comments sent to The Associated Press on Tuesday. In a statement addressed to the “people of Oaxaca,” he said that the design was intended to “to honor the powerful cultural and artistic spirit of Oaxaca and its creative communities — a place whose beauty and resistance have inspired me.”
“I am deeply sorry that the shoe was appropriated in this design and not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community,” Chavarria wrote. “This falls short of the respect and collaborative approach that Oaxaca, the Zapotec community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and its people deserve.”
Chavarria is a Mexican-American designer, who has risen to fame for his designs exploring Chicano, or Mexican-American, culture, often mixing Mexican themes with American products. His designs include sweaters reading “Chicano” in red, scripted font, and styles with the Mexican flag and cowboy hats reminiscent of northern Mexican culture.
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In recent months, Chavarria also was put in the spotlight for a show at Paris Fashion Week that was intended as criticism of the Trump administration’s deportation policy.
Chavarria’s comments came days after Adidas made a public apology for the design, and in a statement said it was reaffirming “our commitment to collaborate with Yalalag in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural legacy.” Last week, in a letter to Oaxacan state officials, the company requested to sit down with local officials and to discuss how it can “repair the damage” to Indigenous populations.
“Adidas recognizes and values the cultural richness of Mexico’s Indigenous communities and the meaning of their artisanal heritage,” it wrote in a statement.