The sandal was created by U.S. designer Willy Chavarría for Adidas Originals. Its thin leather, braided straps bare an uncanny resemblance to the Mexican huaraches, but instead of flat leather soles, the Adidas version has a chunkier, sporty sole.

Mexican-American clothing designer Willy Chavarria has apologized for an Adidas sandal he created after being accused by Mexican authorities of “cultural appropriation” for imitating an Indigenous shoe design.

The sportswear firm Adidas and Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarría have apologized after a Mexican state accused them of cultural appropriation over the design of a new shoe.