Adidas apologizes for Oaxaca Slip-On design

German sportswear brand Adidas faced criticism for using Indigenous-inspired design in the Oaxaca Slip-On without community involvement and apologized.

Adidas apologizes after Oaxaca Slip-On cultural appropriation

Adidas has apologized after criticism that its Oaxaca Slip-On copied Indigenous design from Villa Hidalgo Yalalag in Oaxaca. The shoe, created by US designer Willy Chavarria, references the huarache tradition but the Yalalag community was not involved in its production.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum called the design an inappropriate cultural appropriation and said that Indigenous designs are intellectual property. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara echoed that heritage should not be treated as a commodity. Adidas said it would engage in a respectful dialogue with the Yalalag people and pursue partnerships, while Chavarria told the BBC he was deeply sorry that the design was not developed in direct collaboration with the community. Mexico also has 2022 laws protecting Indigenous and Afro-M Mexican intellectual property, with penalties for unauthorized use.

The incident highlights a clash between fast fashion’s global reach and the rights of Indigenous communities. An apology matters, but only if it leads to real change, including fair compensation and genuine collaboration. Brands now face pressure to prove they can work with communities rather than simply drawing on cultural motifs for market appeal.

Going forward, the industry faces a test of its norms. True collaboration means early involvement, transparent agreements, and long term partnerships. Mexico’s legal framework offers a path, yet enforcement across global supply chains will require clear processes and independent oversight to be effective.

Highlights

The industry will be judged by its willingness to build real partnerships, not just issue statements.