You would think Prada would have learned from H&M that any references or images of monkeys is never a good marketing plan. Moreover, channeling blackface is never a good look. Now the fashion company is in a heap of trouble over “luxury” gifts.
See Also: Black District Attorney Removed From E.J. Bradford Investigation Because Of A Facebook Photo
Prada used Blackface imagery for their “Pradamalia” collection, which is available online and is in at least one of their New York City storefronts. See the disturbing image below:
Prada Group, Prada’s parent company, told CBS News they “abhor racist imagery” and will remove the items. However, Prada bizarrely tried to explain the items as “imaginary creatures” — yeah, right, imagined creatures out of a racist’s brain.
The statement said, “The Pradamalia are fantasy charms composed of elements of the Prada oeuvre. They are imaginary creatures not intended to have any reference to the real world and certainly not blackface. We abhor all forms of racism and racist imagery. We will withdraw all of the characters in question from display and circulation.”
CBS reports, despite their statement, “Some of the imagery was still being used in a section featuring the Pradamalia Friday afternoon.”
Social media has obviously been mortified and outraged by the black face imagery and there has been a call to #BoycottPrada.
See the reactions below:
