logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2025
10m 4s

Is it OK for fashion brands to take insp...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

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 BBC 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.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Maria Clara Montoya and William Lee Adams Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Up next
Yesterday
Christa Pike: What happens when executions go wrong?
Last week, Christa Pike, a death row inmate in the US faced execution via lethal injection for a murder she committed in 1995. But after she was given two full doses of the drug pentobarbital, she survived. At the time of uploading this podcast, she remains awake in hospital and ... Show More
10m 45s
Oct 8
Everyone is talking about the "great lock-in"
January isn’t the only time for new year’s resolutions anymore. The end of the year is having a moment too - as part of the great lock-in trend. There’s lots of content online about locking in for the last four months of the year - whether that’s working out more regularly, spend ... Show More
11m 30s
Oct 7
Are online gig spoilers ruining live music?
Film and TV show spoilers often come with a warning because people know they can be annoying. But when it comes to footage from concerts and gigs… those rules don’t really apply, as Olivia Rodrigo fans found out when clips of a surprise moment from her ‘Unraveled Tour’ went viral ... Show More
9m 53s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2025
What next after India's sandal scandal?
When Italian luxury brand Prada showcased leather sandals that looked a lot like India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals, and didn't credit their roots, it sparked a debate over fair pay and recognition for local artisans.The company has since tried to make amends and has been spe ... Show More
17m 28s
Nov 2023
Sneakered: Adidas, Yeezy & Kanye
<p>The deal between Kanye West and Adidas was no ordinary celebrity endorsement. Now under renewed scrutiny after West’s outrageous behaviour, how can one rapper’s departure cause such chaos at a multinational sportswear brand?</p><br><p><em>For the premium Tortoise listening exp ... Show More
41m 40s
Nov 2020
November 13th - Cardi B Apologizes for Appropriating Hindu Culture: 'Maybe I Should Have Done My Research'
Cardi B was met with criticism this week after the release of her Footwear News November cover, in which the rapper is seen holding a red sneaker and depicted as the Hindu goddess Durga. Critics called out the star for cultural appropriation, deeming the cover inappropriate and a ... Show More
3m 26s
May 2023
Tripped Up
Remember when Yeezy made Adidas the hottest shoe company in the world? How the biggest collab since Nike met Jordan went so wrong. By Kim Bhasin and Tim LohSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
33m 16s
Aug 2023
The price for Mexican heritage
We look into Mexico’s drive to get historical artefacts returned. Find out more about a famous quetzal feather crown believed to have been worn by the great Aztec emperor Moctezuma, it is currently in Austria and we hear from those who want to keep it there, and those campaigning ... Show More
18m 15s
Oct 2025
Meghan Markle Paris Fashion Week Disaster, Kim K Morphs Into Kris Jenner, and Kamala's Election Lies
<p>Link Lauren dives into Meghan Markle in Paris for Fashion Week at the Balenciaga show despite the brand’s risky past involving children, her insensitive video with her feet up near the site of Princess Diana’s crash site and more. Then Link breaks down Kamala going rogue on st ... Show More
34m 50s
Jan 2025
Week in Review: Walmart's climate target miss, fraudulent returns and the return of Louis Vuitton x Murakami
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week. This week, we discuss the swing away from sustainability among large companies including Walmart. Later ... Show More
25m 13s
Jan 2022
The high cost of cheap clothes
Fast fashion took over the apparel industry, but consumers are tiring of its poor labor and environmental standards. Vox’s Terry Nguyen explains. Today’s show was produced by Amina Al-Sadi, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and hos ... Show More
25m 16s
Oct 2023
What's Cool In Mexico City Right Now | PLUS Emerging Designers You Should Know
Today on the show, Karla Martinez de Salas, Vogue Mexico and Latin America’s Head of Content and all in all boss lady (force!) comes on the show to talk about the most iconic covers she’s worked on, and the new Mexico City feature in the magazine. Later on, Vogue colleagues José ... Show More
40m 13s