Adidas apologizes for new sandal design said to appropriate Indigenous Mexican patterns

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said her administration is looking into legal ways of supporting Indigenous communities whose designs are taken by big companies. Share Save for later Please log in to bookmark this story. Log In Create Free Account

Adidas has formally apologized after Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the sportswear brand over a shoe that replicated traditional Indigenous huarache sandals without attributing the design or crediting artisans.

The misstep comes shortly after Prada triggered a widespread backlash in India when its Milan fashion show debuted a sandal replicating Kolhapuri slippers, highlighting the increased scrutiny multinational brands face over the origin of their designs.

“The ’Oaxaca slip-on’ was inspired by a desig