Mexican authorities accuse Adidas of cultural appropriation for their new "Oaxaca Slip-On" sandal, which closely resembles traditional Indigenous huaraches. Local authorities have called for the withdrawal of the design and are engaging with Adidas to offer compensation to affected artisans. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans for legal reforms to protect Mexican handicrafts, which are vital to the economy, offering employment to half a million people and contributing significantly to various states' GDP. Artisans like Viridiana Jarquín García express frustration over losing their cultural craftsmanship due to such copies.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Adidas was in negotiations to provide "compensation for the people who were plagiarized," while also preparing legal reforms to protect Mexican handicrafts.
The sandals known as the "Oaxaca Slip-On," designed by Willy Chavarría, feature elements remarkably similar to traditional huaraches, which are integral to the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities.
For Viridiana Jarquín García, a huaraches creator in Oaxaca, the Adidas shoes represent a "cheap copy" of the painstaking work done by Mexican artisans, indicating a loss of artistry and tradition.
The economic impact of handicrafts in Mexico is significant, providing jobs for approximately half a million people and constituting around 10% of the GDP in states like Oaxaca and Jalisco.
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