Mexico’s president pressures Adidas over ancestral craft
Image of traditional huaraches – created by Tinashe Mandirahwe. It is this ancestral craft at the heart of the Adidas dispute.rn
Adidas is under scrutiny in Mexico over its “Oaxaca Slip-On” sandal, which officials say closely resembles the traditional huaraches of the Zapotec people. Cultural appropriation — taking elements from another culture, often without credit or fair compensation — is at the centre of the dispute. While such appropriation is not always illegal under intellectual property law, it can spark strong ethical debates.
Mexico’s president has publicly backed efforts to protect Indigenous craftsmanship, including the huarache — a rare move for a head of state in a design matter that reflects the deep cultural pride tied to the huarache’s heritage. Some see this as a defence of national identity, while others question whether the government should intervene in corporate design disputes.
Adidas is now in talks with Mexican authorities and Indigenous representatives, aiming to resolve the issue. The case leaves open a broader question: how should businesses balance creative inspiration with respect for the cultures that inspire them?
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