On August 21, Adidas executives issued a public apology to the artisans of the community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag, after acknowledging that the “Oaxaca Slip-On” shoe model was created based on the region’s traditional sandals, known as huaraches, without the guidance or collaboration of its original creators.
Speaking from the center of the community, Karen González, the company’s Legal and Compliance Director, expressed her recognition of the cultural richness of Mexico’s Indigenous peoples and admitted Adidas’ responsibility in this case.
“The Oaxaca Slip-On was conceived by drawing inspiration from a design native to the town of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag, which may have caused distress. For that reason, we offer a public apology,” she said. She also reiterated the company’s commitment to avoid future cases of cultural appropriation and to work collaboratively with artisan communities.
Recognition of the Huarache Tradition
The municipal president, Erick Ignacio Fabián, thanked Adidas for its willingness to engage in dialogue from the beginning and highlighted the importance of footwear in the community’s daily life:
“Yalálag lives off its crafts; each piece represents the livelihood of a family. We appreciate that the company kept its word in making amends for the damage caused,” he said.
For his part, the community’s legal advisor, Juan Maldonado Vargas, recalled that Villa Hidalgo Yalálag has been dedicated to making huaraches since 1890, a craft passed down from generation to generation and considered an intangible cultural legacy of Indigenous peoples.
“The huarache is part of the history of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag; it is not only an art form but also the backbone of family and community economy,” he emphasized.
The event concluded with the signing of a collaboration agreement between representatives of the Government of Oaxaca and Adidas, aimed at preventing future plagiarisms of traditional designs and ensuring respect for Indigenous artisan communities.
With this action, Villa Hidalgo Yalálag reaffirms the value of its ancestral knowledge and the importance of protecting it against cultural appropriation practices that endanger both its identity and the local economy.
Related: Oaxaca Demands an End to Cultural Appropriation of Indigenous Designs by Adidas and Willy Chavarría
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