The Government of Mexico is asking for Adidas a compensation in favor of a community of the State of Oaxaca (South), accusing the brand of cultural appropriation on one of its models of sandals.
The local authorities of Oaxaca had denounced at the launch of the model called “Oaxaca Slip-on”, designed by the American designer of Mexican origin Willy Chavarria, which Adidas had neither expressed recognition towards his authentic creators.
The Mexican government announced on Friday that Adidas agreed to meet the authorities of the State of Oaxaca. These claim that the design on the sandals model comes from the community of Villa de Hidalgo Yalalag.
“It is an intellectual, collective property, there must be compensation, we must respect the law on heritage and we will see if this is resolved in the discussion. We are also studying the legal path, “said Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum at her usual morning press conference.
Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara also threatened to initiate prosecution against Mr. Chavarria.
Mexico has already denounced the unauthorized use of the art of its indigenous communities by major brands such as Chinese Shein, the Spanish Zara or the Venezuelan Carolina Herrera.