Backlash to Adidas Oaxaca Slip-On leads to apology

A designer apologizes after criticism that the Adidas Oaxaca Slip-On borrowed from Indigenous Oaxaca culture without consent.

Willy Chavarria Faces Backlash After Adidas Oaxaca Slip-On

Willy Chavarria has apologized after criticism that the Adidas Originals Oaxaca Slip-On copied Indigenous design from the Oaxacan community. The shoe drew on traditional huaraches and was reportedly produced in China without direct collaboration or credit for the artisans who created the design. Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the move, saying big companies often take designs from Indigenous communities, and Adidas said it is engaging with Oaxacan officials and discussing restitution for communities that were plagiarised. Promotional images were removed from social media and from Chavarria’s channels as part of the response.

The incident highlights how cultural exchange sits at the intersection of art, commerce and community rights. Apology and acknowledgment of harm are important, but they are not enough without concrete steps that involve the originating community. The case adds pressure on brands to build genuine partnerships and to share benefits, not just credit. For the fashion industry, the episode signals a shift toward more transparent processes around co creation, credit and compensation.

Highlights

Cultural respect in design must guide every step from concept to launch