When Adidas is “inspired” but forgets to give credit (and Michoacán doesn’t buy it)
Now it turns out that Adidas, the brand that sells tennis shoes more expensive than your rent, decided to “honor” Mexican culture with some huaraches… but, oh surprise, they forgot to mention Michoacán. And of course, like a good soap opera drama, there are complaints, statements and even legal threats here. Who said fashion was boring?
The mayor of Sahuayo, Manuel Gálvez, came out with everything: “No, gentlemen, that design is ours, we have done it for more than 100 years”. And he is not alone. The Casa de las Artesanías de Michoacán also jumped on the scandal train, outraged because Adidas and designer Willy Chavarría gave all the credit to Oaxaca. Innocent mistake or cultural appropriation with corporate flavor? You judge.
The “Pachuco” huarache: Oaxaca or Michoacán? (Spoiler: there is gossip)
It turns out that in Sahuayo they have been manufacturing the Pachuco huarache for decades, a design so iconic that it even has the name of a gangster movie character. And now, when Adidas revives it (and sells it for what it would cost to feed a family for a week), no one asked the original craftsmen. Can you imagine? “Oh, excuse me, can you lend us your culture to sell?”.
The authorities did not sit idly by. They announced a legal process for the National Copyright Institute to give them their place in history. Of course, they clarify: “We don’t want a lawsuit, we just don’t want them to erase us as if we were a forgotten meme”. They even asked for fair trade, because, let’s be honest, how much of that $150 that Adidas huaraches cost will reach the hands that made them famous?
Moral of the day: If you’re going to “celebrate” a culture, at least Google its origin. Or better yet, collaborate with communities instead of just borrowing. Michoacán has already taken the first step for the big brands to get their act together (or in this case, the huaraches).
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