Adidas accused of cultural seizure by Mexico on the design of the new shoe Business and Economics News

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Mexican officials say that the giant of sportswear took an idea of a design from the indigenous population community in the southern state of Oaxaka in the country.

The Mexico government is seeking compensation from Adidas, accusing the sportswear giant to cultural seizure to launch the design of new shoes that look remarkably for traditional original shoes known as Huarses.

The new Oaxaca Slip-on was created from Adidas by the United States fashion designer Willie Chavary, which has a Mexican heritage.

But the shoes have been subjected to a strong decline from officials in the southern state of Oaxaka in Mexico, who say it has not been granted the original community, in the village of Villa de Heidalgo Yalaj behind the original design.

“It is a collective intellectual property. There must be compensation.” Must be complied with the Heritage Law, “Mexico President Claudia Shinbom said during her usual press conference on Friday.

“The major companies often take the products, ideas and designs from the indigenous population,” said Shinbom.

“We look at the legal part to be able to support them,” she said.

The government said that Adidas representatives agreed to meet the OXACA authorities.

Marina Nunez Besalova, and the quantity of the Ministry of Cultural Development in Mexico, speaks during the morning press conference of President Claudia Chenebum at the National Palace of Adidas and American designer Willie Chavari Ali
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Cultural Development in Mexico, Marina Nunez Bisalova, along with President Claudia Shinbom, at a press conference to condemn Adidas and American designer Willie Shafia in Mexico City, Mexico, on August 8, 2025 (descendants/Muxaico, via Reuters)

In a public message to Adidas, Salomon, Jara Cruz, Governor of Oaxaka State, criticized the company’s design – which contains a sporty shoe that has woven from Huarash sandal – saying that “creative inspiration” is not a correct justification for using cultural expressions that “provide identity for societies.”

“The culture is not sold, it is respectful,” he said.

Outlet Outlet Periodico SuPremo said that the National Institute for the Original Peoples in the country will launch a legal challenge on Adidas’s design, and asked the followers on social media: “Will you buy it?”

translation: The Mexico government defends the original intellectual property, against the well -known brand Adidas. Inpi will legally challenge the improper use of the traditional design of the hated by Villa Hidalgo Yalag, Oaxaca. Will you buy it?

This controversy is the latest condition for Mexican officials who condemn the brands or major designers who use the art or designs of indigenous indigenous people from the region, with previous complaints about Juggernaut Shein for fast fashion, and Zara from Spain and Carolina Herrara and Louis Vuitton.

Mexico Culture Minister Marina Nunez confirmed that Adidas had contacted Oakakan officials to discuss “recovery for people who have been plagiarized.”

Neither Adidas nor the designer Shafaria, who was born in the United States of an American American mother and a Mexican American father, immediately responded to requests to comment from journalists.

Chavari had told Sneaker News earlier that he had been planning to celebrate his cultural heritage through his work with Adidas.

He said: “I am very proud to work with a company that respects culture and really raises it in the real way.”

Handicrafts are a decisive economic lifeline in Mexico, providing jobs for about half a million people across the country. The industry represents about 10 percent of GDP (GDP) in states such as Oxaka, Gallisco, Mishwakan and Jeriro.

For Viridiana Jarquin Garcia, a creator and seller in Huaraches in the capital of Oaxaca, Adidas shoes were “cheap” work type of work that Mexican artists took time and danced to formulate.

“We lose art. We lose our traditions,” she said in front of her small leather booth.

Sands known as "Huaraches" It is offered for sale in the market in Oakaka, Mexico, Friday, August 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Alberto Cruz)
Sands known as “Huaraches” are offered for sale in a market in Oaxaca, Mexico, on August 8, 2025 (Luis alberto Cruz/AP Photo)





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