German sports CNN Adidas has unveiled a new shoe called “Oaxaca Slip-On”, according to CNN and the New York Times, because its design is suspected of copying the original Mexican hand-made sandals“Huarache”, caused a stir in Mexico. Politicians such as Mexican President Simbaum have accused adidas of“Cultural appropriation” and are demanding compensation. Adidas and Chavarria, the shoe’s designer, have apologised.
Adidas’ new “Oaxaca Slip-On” shoe, designed by Chavarria. Photo: US media
According to CNN, Adidas’s new “Oaxaca Slip-On” shoe, a partnership between the company and Chavarria, features woven leather and thick rubber soles. According to the New York Times, the shoes’ black braided uppers resemble the “Huarache,” a traditional sandal worn by Zapotec peoples in Zapotec, Oaxaca, Mexico.
“Huarache”, a traditional sandal sold at a market in Oaxaca, Mexico. Photo: US media
Just after the shoes were released last week, Mexican politicians quickly accused Chavarria and adidas of “Cultural appropriation,” the New York Times said. At a press conference on Friday, Mexican President Simbaum showed pictures of the new shoes and said companies such as adidas were“Stealing the creativity of indigenous communities”. She said Oaxaca had begun negotiations with Adidas to demand compensation from indigenous communities and was prepared to take legal action on the matter. Mexican culture official Marina expressed similar views at a press conference on the same day.
Mexican president Joachim Sinbaum (left) and the country’s culture ministry official Marina denounce Adidas’s new shoe “Oaxaca Slip-On” during a news conference in Mexico City August 8,2010. Photo: US media
Adidas issued an apology for the controversy over new shoe designs in Mexico, saying the company“Recognizes and values the cultural heritage of indigenous communities in Mexico and the significance of their artisanal heritage.”. The statement said the “Oaxaca Slip-On” was inspired by a design in Oaxaca, for which Adidas issued a public apology and reiterated its commitment to working with the local Mexican community, dialogue in a way that respects their cultural heritage.
In addition, the report said that the new shoe designer Chavarria’s father is a Hispanic and Latino Americans, his mother is a Irish American. On Saturday, he issued a letter of apology in English and Spanish addressed to“The people of Oaxaca.”. In the letter, he said he was sorry that the shoes had been designed without authorisation to appropriate elements of Oaxaca culture and had failed to establish in-depth collaboration with the local indigenous community. Chavarria added that he had intended to pay tribute to the culture and art of Oaxaca and its communities.
Adidas did not respond when asked if the shoes were still on sale, the New York Times noted.
According to the New York Times, the Mexican government has been active in defending traditional designs against“Improper use” by outsiders. CNN said the country has passed laws that impose heavy fines and prison sentences for unauthorized use of indigenous cultural expressions. The legislation follows similar opposition from companies including Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl over designs or patterns deemed too similar to traditional Mexican culture.