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(UPDATE) ‘I’m Deeply Sorry:’ Willy Chavarría Apologizes To Oaxaca After Backlash From Both Sides of The Border

“I am deeply sorry that the shoe was appropriated in this design and not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community,” said the designer.

12:49 PM PDT on August 11, 2025

Fashion designer willy chavarria holding a huarache in one hand.

Photo via Willy Chavarria’s Instagram.

Editor's note: This article was updated on August 11, 2025, to include Willy Chavarria's statement.

The huarache that broke the internet is what fashion designer Willy Chavarría's latest collaboration with Adidas did…but not in the way they’d hoped! 

While the Chicano fashion designer debuted his sneaker hybrid huaraches at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico during an Adidas Originals panel, it wasn’t until he posted a now-deleted post to his Instagram earlier this week with the caption “SOON” that sparked the online discourse and backlash on both sides of the border.