ADIDAS issues apology over sandal plagiarism
Following controversy over copying the traditional Oaxacan huarache sandal, the German company issued a public apology acknowledging that the “Oaxaca Slip On” model was conceived by Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarría, inspired by the handcrafted footwear of the Sierra de Juárez, where local artisans produce this product. State and federal authorities intervened in the dispute, demanding a retraction from ADIDAS. The Secretary of Culture and Arts of Oaxaca later expressed satisfaction, stating: “We hope this case sets a precedent of respect for the Indigenous peoples of Mexico and Latin America by multinational companies.”