Prada has assembled an advisory group to help diversify its company.
The Prada Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council will be spearheaded by Ava DuVernay and Theaster Gates, an activist and artist, according to a press release sent to Blavity. The council’s purpose is to “advise the company as it invests in diverse talent development and expands opportunities for young students of color in the fashion industry.”
In the release, Prada CEO Miuccia Prada said, "We are thrilled to be working with long-time collaborators, Ava DuVernay and Theaster Gates, on this important initiative. We look forward to working with the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council to help us grow not only as a company but also as individuals.”
In addition to its work with the council, Prada is partnering with universities and other educational institutions to create internships and apprenticeships in the fashion industry for people of color.
“Prada is committed to cultivating, recruiting and retaining diverse talent to contribute to all departments of the company,” said Miuccia Prada.
Prada is one of a number of companies to come under fire for including racially insensitive imagery in its marketing and products, as Blavity previously reported.
In December, the Italian fashion house apologized after complaints about their Pradamalia character hit social media.
"Prada Group abhors racist imagery," Prada said about the Sambo-like doll at the time. "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."
The character was later removed from stores and marketing materials.
Prada also raised eyebrows last April when it printed former Black Panther Angela Davis on a $500 t-shirt.
Hopefully the council can prevent anymore mishaps.
Your move, Gucci.
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