The artisans of a community in southern Mexico regretted this week, in testimonies that have arrived on Saturday, which the Adidas sports brand copied its traditional sandals designs as part of a collaboration with the American artist Willy Chavarria. The Mexican authorities had denounced in early August the fact that the Sandal Model of “Oaxaca Slip-on” of Adidas imitated a traditional design of this region without authorization of its creators. The Mexican government said it would seek compensation from the German company for cultural appropriation.
The artisans, from the community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, in the southern state of Oaxaca, indicated on Friday that sandals (called huaracches in Mexico) require a meticulous work that has been carried out for several generations. “We are doing a very laborious job with the activity of Huarache,” said Raymundo Cuevas, a craftsman from this town of just over 1,800 inhabitants. Dozens of local artisans work in rudimentary workshops to make huaraches in their hand.
Another craftsman, Antolino Domínguez, said that the work of the Huaraches is the fruit of several generations in Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. “This comes from generations from our ancestors. This work they have copied in years,” he said.
“It is not possible for respect and collaborative approach”
Last week, the American creator of Mexican origin Willy Chavarria acknowledged that his developed sandals for Adidas induced the name of the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
For his part, Adidas apologized and reaffirmed his commitment to collaborate with the local community in a “respectful dialogue that honors his cultural heritage.”
Source: BFM TV
