German sportswear manufacturer Adidas has released apologies after accusing them of cultural appropriation in the design of his new “Oxaca slip-on” shoes.
The shoe designed by US designer Willy Chavaria is inspired by “Hurache” sandals, traditionally worn to indigenous villagers from Villa Hidalgo Yalal in Mexican state of Oxaca, who were not involved in production.
The company based in Bavaria said in a statement on Monday, “Adidas gave importance to the cultural prosperity of the indigenous communities of Mexico and their craft heritage.”
“Oxaca slip-on villa Hidalgo was inspired by a design of Oxaca contained in the tradition of Yalalg,” it continued. “We publicly apologize and confirms our commitment to work with Yalalg in a respectable dialogue that respects his cultural heritage.”
Shinbam defends indigenous ‘intellectual property’
The issue went as the Mexican President Claudia Shinbaum, who explained the shoe design as “inappropriate cultural appropriation”, saying: “Big companies are taking products, ideas and design from indigenous communities of our country. It is an intellectual property.
Oxaka Governor Salon Zara said on social media that “Hurachas from Yalal are part of the cultural heritage of this community, a tradition that has been passed from generation to generation and reflects its identity:” This heritage is one of our largest treasures, and we must be considered as an object. ,
Cultural appropriation under Mexican Act punishable
Mexico passed a law in 2022 to protect the intellectual and cultural property of indigenous and Ephro-Maxican people, with unauthorized use now with fines and even punished with prison sentence.
In a statement by BBC, Chavaria, a former senior vice -president of designed at Calvin Klein, he said “he was sorry that the shoes were approved in this design and did not develop in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oxacan community.”
He continued: “The intention was always to respect the powerful cultural and artistic spirit of Oxaca and its creative communities – a place whose beauty and resistance has inspired me. It is reduced from respect and collaborative point of view that Oxaca, Villa Hidalgo and its people are entitled.”
Edited by: Wesley Dakri
