Background on the Artisans and Their Craft
Artisans from a community in southern Mexico have raised concerns that sportswear giant Adidas has copied their traditional sandal designs without authorization from the authentic creators. The Mexican authorities had previously denounced in early August that Adidas’ “Oaxaca Slip-On” model imitates a traditional design from the Oaxaca region without permission from its genuine creators.
Who are the Artisans?
The artisans hail from the Villa Hidalgo Yalalag community in Oaxaca, Mexico. Their meticulous handcrafting of sandals, known as huaraches in Mexico, has been passed down through generations. Raymundo Cuevas, a local artisan, explained to AFP that making these sandales requires immense manual labor, with only two or three pairs completed per artisan daily.
The Significance of the Sandal-Making Tradition
Cuevas emphasized the labor-intensive nature of creating huaraches, stating that it involves carefully working with leather, cutting, and sewing by hand. He expressed frustration that Adidas could so easily replicate and profit from their designs, stating, “It’s not right that a company can so easily copy a model and make money off it.”
Adidas’ Collaboration with Willy Chavarria
The controversy arose when Adidas collaborated with American artist Willy Chavarria on a line of sandals that the artisans claim closely resemble their traditional designs. Chavarria acknowledged that his design “did not meet the respect and collaborative focus” expected of the Villa Hidalgo Yalalag community.
Adidas’ Response
In response to the uproar, Adidas issued an apology and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the community in a “respectful dialogue that honors their cultural heritage.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the artisans involved? The artisans are from the Villa Hidalgo Yalalag community in Oaxaca, Mexico. They have been handcrafting traditional sandals known as huaraches for generations.
- What is the controversy about? Adidas collaborated with American artist Willy Chavarria on a line of sandals that the Mexican artisans claim closely resemble their traditional designs without authorization.
- What is the significance of huaraches? Huaraches are labor-intensive, handcrafted sandals made from leather that have been passed down through generations in the Villa Hidalgo Yalalag community.
- How did Adidas respond? Adidas issued an apology and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the community in a respectful dialogue that honors their cultural heritage.
