The designer Willy Chavarría apologizes for “appropriating” a design of Mexican sandals he made for Adidas

Photo foot, American fashion designer Willy Chavarria at the Met 2025 gala

- Author, Jennifer Monehans
- Author's title, Business reporter, BBC
11 August 2025

American fashion designer Willy Chavarría apologized after a shoe that created in collaboration with Adidas Originals was criticized for “cultural appropriation.”

The “Oaxaca Slip-on” model is inspired by traditional leather sandals known as Huaraches, manufactured by indigenous artisans in Mexico.

The Mexican president was one of those who spoke against footwear, which apparently was manufactured in China without consulting or giving credit to the communities that originated the design.

Chavarría said in a statement sent to the BBC: “I deeply regret that the shoe has been appropriate in this design and not developed in direct and significant association with the Oaxaca community.”

Marina Núñez and Claudia Sheinbaum at the press conference on Friday — Photo foot, The Undersecretary of Cultural Development of Mexico, Marina Núñez Bespalova, criticized the shoes at the president's morning press conference on Friday.

Cultural appropriation is defined as “the unrecognized or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices and ideas of a people or society by members of a typically more dominant people or society.”

The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, told a press conference: “Large companies often take products, ideas and designs of indigenous communities.”

“We are studying the legal part to support them,” he added.

Adidas contacted the Oaxacan authorities to discuss “restitution to the people who were plagiarized,” added the Undersecretary of Culture of Mexico, Marina Núñez.

In a statement by email Adidas told the BBC that “he recognizes and values the cultural wealth of the indigenous communities of Mexico and the meaning of his artisanal heritage.”

“The 'Oaxaca Slip-on' was inspired by an Oaxaca design, rooted in the tradition of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag. We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with Yalálag in a respectful dialogue that honors its cultural legacy.”

Photo foot, The Oaxaca Zapatero Juan Aquino working with traditional indigenous sandals in Villa Hidalgo Yalálag

The promotional images of the open -to -tip molded shoes were removed from the brand's social media accounts, as well as that of Chavarría.

In his statement, Chavarría said he wanted to “speak from the heart about the Oaxaca shoe that I created with Adidas.”

“The intention was always to honor the powerful cultural and artistic spirit of Oaxaca and its creative communities, a place whose beauty and resistance have inspired me. The name of Oaxaca is not just a word: it is their living culture, its people and its history.”

He also said he regretted “deeply” not having worked with the Oaxaca community in the design.

“This is not up to the respect and collaboration that Oaxaca, the Zapotec community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag and its people, deserve,” he added.

“I know that love is not given, you win with the action.”

Chavarría was a senior vice president of Design of Calvin Klein until 2024 and is the founder and creative director of his homonymous brand.

As reported by the AP agency, Adidas responded to Mexican authorities in a letter on Friday.

Apparently, the company said that “deeply values the cultural wealth of the indigenous peoples of Mexico and recognizes the relevance” of criticism, and requested a meeting to talk about how to “repair the damage” to indigenous communities.

With additional information from Peter Hoskins

This article was written and edited by our journalists with the help of an artificial intelligence tool for translation, as part of a pilot program.