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Is it OK for fashion brands to take inspiration from other cultures?

Mexico’s president has criticised Adidas for cultural appropriation.

Mexico's president is among those who have criticised Adidas for perceived cultural appropriation. The brand's Oaxaca Slip-On was inspired by traditional leather sandals known as huaraches made by Indigenous artisans in Mexico. But with its slip-ons, Adidas and its designer Willy Chavarria didn’t work with the original designers and there are some reports that the sandals were made in China.

We unpack the controversy with Jennifer Meierhans, a ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ business reporter. Plus: Javier Uhthoff, an intellectual property lawyer, explains the rights that designers and artisans in Mexico have when it comes to their creations.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Maria Clara Montoya and William Lee Adams
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

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10 minutes

Last on

Sat 16 Aug 2025 02:50GMT
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

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  • Fri 15 Aug 2025 17:50GMT
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service News Internet
  • Sat 16 Aug 2025 02:50GMT
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

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