In a move worthy of a press release and a drop date, a Mexican-American designer apologized for an Adidas sandal design accused of cultural appropriation.

The designer posted a lengthy apology, insisting the sandal was inspired by the many threads of history and not by any single culture.

Critics argued that the line between tribute and theft is as fine as a shoelace, and somehow twice as tangled when you zoom in on the sole.

The sandal, marketed as the Sole of Many Cultures, reportedly features stitching patterns reminiscent of textiles from across the globe.

Inside Adidas’ think-tank, executives reportedly floated a Cultural Co-Creation program that would pair scholars, designers and a surprisingly stern intern to moderate the debates.

Social media erupted with memes: grandmothers knitting apologies, athletes holding up map-like footbeds, and one influencer insisting the logo was just the vibe.

The designer said the goal was to celebrate diaspora through a wearable tribute rather than a vandalized souvenir.

Cultural critics responded with a mix of praise for intent and satire about the risk of wearing history on your feet.

Footwear historians noted that sandals have long borrowed from many civilizations, often with miscommunication and several consultancies involved.

Adidas announced a forthcoming Contextual Footwear Guide that would include QR codes linking to origin stories and a stern reminder: do not step on anyone’s memories.

The designer teased apologetic merch, including a tote bag reading I Did Something Silly with Cultural Significance and a sandal care kit labeled Respect, Not Perfect.

Ultimately, the situation became a reminder that fashion moves fast, but sensitivity walks at its own pace—and sometimes tripping over culture is just a new sneaker drop waiting to happen.