Mexico is looking for footwear giant Adidas to pony up after a Mexican-American designer working with the firm, Willy Chavarria, launched a shoe inspired by a traditional sandal.
Chavarria recently dropped the Oaxaca Slip On shoe, a sneaker sole topped with the weave of Mexico’s huarache sandals.
The designer has been hailed in the US for his work bringing Latino issues to light — including his controversial collection touching on the alleged gang members locked up at El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison.
But Chavarria’s critics have argued that the shoe uses the name of the southern Mexican state, a major manufacturer of the traditional leather sandals, while his design is manufactured in China and Indigenous artisans received no credit or benefit from the multinational firm.
Willy Chavarria collaborated with the major sneaker brand. (Supplied: Adidas/Willy Chavarria)
“Big companies often take products, ideas and designs from Indigenous communities,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in her Friday press conference.
“We are looking at the legal part to be able to support them.“
Deputy Culture Minister Marina Núñez confirmed Adidas had contacted Oaxacan officials to discuss “restitution to the people who were plagiarised”.
The dispute is the latest by Mexico to protect its traditional designs from global fashion firms, having previously lodged complaints against Zara owner Inditex and Louis Vuitton.
Neither Adidas nor Chavarria, born in the US to an Irish American mother and a Mexican American father, immediately responded to requests for comment.
Chavarria had told Sneaker News that he had intended to celebrate his cultural heritage through his work with Adidas.
“I’m very proud to work with a company that really respects and elevates culture in the truest way,” he said.
Reuters