Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria, 58, issued an apology on 12/8 for his Oaxaca Slip-On shoes, which were accused of culturally appropriating the designs of the indigenous Zapotec community in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Chavarria's Oaxaca Slip-On for Adidas Originals, a subsidiary of Adidas, was first revealed on Instagram on 8/3. The shoe features thin leather straps woven in a style remarkably similar to traditional Mexican huaraches.

The shoe was initially unveiled at Chavarria's spring/summer 2025 fashion show in New York last September. The designer said the product was inspired by huaraches, a classic Mexican sandal that has become a symbol of Chicano street style (Mexican-American culture).

Chavarria's design features an intricately woven upper crafted from premium leather, styled as a slip-on open-toe shoe. The sole includes an embossed Adidas logo on the side, Chavarria's name printed on the back and inside, along with an embossed gold Adidas logo.

Designer Willy Chavarria and the Oaxaca Slip-On. Photo: Instagram/Willy Chavarria

Designer Willy Chavarria and the Oaxaca Slip-On. Photo: Instagram/Willy Chavarria

While huaraches typically have flat leather soles, the Adidas version has a large athletic shoe sole. This difference, along with the perceived appropriation, sparked disappointment among social media users.

One Instagram user commented, "I like these, but it feels odd that they're inspired by (copied from) handcrafted huaraches from Mexico. No artisans benefited, or were even involved. A collaboration would have been truly helpful,".

Others expressed their preference for buying huaraches directly from Mexican artisans. "Mexicans support Mexicans," one commenter stated, while another declared, "My culture is not your costume,".

Mexican authorities intervened, asserting that the Adidas Oaxaca Slip-On incorporated elements of the cultural heritage of the Zapotec community in Oaxaca, specifically in the town of Villa Hidalgo de Yalalag. They described the design as an act of cultural appropriation, violating Mexican law. They called for the recall of the Oaxaca Slip-On and a public apology from Adidas.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized Adidas for manufacturing the shoes in China without involving the Mexican communities who popularized the style. "Large companies often take products, ideas, and designs from indigenous communities. We are reviewing the legal aspects to support them," she said.

Following the backlash, Adidas stated that the company "takes the cultural diversity of indigenous Mexico very seriously and understands the impact" of the criticism. The company requested discussions with local officials to address the concerns and "repair the damage" caused to the indigenous people.

"The Oaxaca Slip-On was inspired by a design in Oaxaca, originating from the traditions of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. We offer a public apology and reaffirm our commitment to collaborating with Yalalag in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural heritage," Adidas said in a statement on 12/8.

Chavarria admitted to using the huaraches as a prototype without discussing a collaboration with the Oaxaca community.

"This falls short of the respect and collaborative spirit that Oaxaca, the Zapotec community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and its people deserve," Chavarria stated. "My intention has always been to honor the rich artistry and cultural spirit of Oaxaca and its creative communities, whose beauty and resilience have inspired me. The name 'Oaxaca' is not just a word; it’s a living culture, people, and history,".

A shop selling huaraches at a market in Oaxaca, Mexico on 8/8. Photo: AP

A shop selling huaraches at a market in Oaxaca, Mexico on 8/8. Photo: AP

Chavarria is known for his socially conscious designs and for using fashion as a platform to draw attention to Latinx communities. In July, he was appointed artist ambassador for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), focusing on immigrant and LGBTQIA+ rights.

This is not the first time the designer has faced controversy. Last month, after his spring 2026 menswear show in Paris, Chavarria drew criticism from El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Bukele claimed Chavarria's use of shaved-head models kneeling in all-white outfits evoked imagery of the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador.

Huyen Le (According to People, WWD, AP)