Jiplak Mexican Traditional Sandal Design, Adidas Sorry

Willy Chavarria and the design of Adidas shoes (X/wrap)

JAKARTA - One of the world's major fashion brands, Adidas, is caught in a controversy over design plagiarization of the latest shoes called Oaxaca Slip-On. The shoes were designed by a designer from the United States, Willy Chavarria.

The shoes are considered very similar to the huaraches, traditional leather sandals carried by Mexican craftsmen, especially the Zapotec community in the city of Villa Hidalgo Yayalag, Oaxaca. The controversy related to Adidas' shoe design came after Mexican authorities judged the design to be a form of cultural contraction'.

Quoted from NBC News, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the sandals have thin leather straps that are woven almost identical to the huaraches, but use thicker sports shoe soles.

"Often large companies take on products, ideas, and designs from indigenous communities in our country," said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Regarding the plagiarism controversy, Adidas and the designer, Chavarria, finally gave an apology statement. Adidas admitted that he would have a dialogue with the Mexican government and the community to discuss solutions related to the controversy.

"We express our open apologies and affirm our commitment to establishing a dialogue that respects the cultural heritage of Yalalag," Adidas said in a statement.

Willy Chavarria as a shoe designer also expressed his regret and apologized. He also conveyed his intention to respect the culture of Oaxaca.

"I am very sorry that this design was taken without a direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxaca community. My true intention is to respect the culture and art of the people of Oaxaca," said Chavarria.

Meanwhile, due to this incident, the Mexican government will finally prepare a new law to ensure the creativity of indigenous peoples not to be misused. Previously, Mexico had also imposed rules that imposed large fines and prison sentences for the use of customary cultural expressions without permission.

For information, the regulation has begun to be tightened by the Mexican government after previously a number of international brands, such as Zara, Anthropologie, and Patowl, had controversies similar to Adidas.