Adidas and Designer Willy Chavarria Accused of Cultural Appropriation Over Oaxaca-Inspired Sandals

A new sandal design by Adidas and Mexican-American fashion designer Willy Chavarria has drawn sharp criticism from officials and Indigenous leaders in Oaxaca, Mexico, who accuse the brand of cultural appropriation.

The product in question, the “Oaxaca Slip-On”, has been described by state authorities as a commercial reinterpretation of the traditional Yalalag huarache—a handmade sandal design deeply rooted in the culture of the Indigenous Zapotec people of Hidalgo Yalalag, a community in Oaxaca with a rich heritage.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara condemned the design, declaring:

“This huarache is from Yalalag. We will collaborate with our Yalalag brothers and sisters to file a formal complaint against the designer.”

Isaias Carranza, a local legislator of Zapotec descent, also voiced his disapproval, stating via Facebook:

“The Adidas company, in collaboration with designer Willy Chavarria, has appropriated a unique design belonging to the people of Hidalgo Yalalag.”

In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of Cultures and Arts of Oaxaca said the commercial use of Indigenous cultural elements without consent constitutes a “violation of our collective rights.” The ministry called on Adidas to:

Cease sales of the sandals,

Acknowledge the design’s Indigenous origin,

And engage in a process of dialogue and reparation with the affected community.

This controversy is the latest in a series of cases where international brands have been accused of exploiting Mexican Indigenous designs without proper credit or compensation. Global fashion names such as Zara, Shein, and Carolina Herrera have faced similar accusations in the past.

As of now, Adidas has not responded publicly to the allegations or the calls for corrective action.