Prada employees will receive racial and sensitivity training

Over the course of the last few years, the fashion industry has set about making itself a more diverse, inclusive, and representative place – but though things are beginning to improve, there’s still a huge amount of work to be done. 

Along with the likes of Gucci, which appointed its first ever diversity chief last year, Prada has also been making moves when it comes to diversifying the label and improving its practices.  

Having already established a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council – chaired by the filmmaker Ava DuVernay and artist Theaster Gates – in February 2019, it was revealed this week that all New York and Milan-based Prada employees will undergo ‘sensitivity training’, which will include racial equity training, as part of an effort to educate and encourage employment outreach to marginalised communities (and yes, in case you’re wondering, Miuccia herself will be among those receiving the training). 

According to a deal with the New York City Commission on Human Rights, signed by Prada earlier this week, within the next 120 days the Italian label will also appoint a diversity and inclusion officer, who will monitor its entire design process. In addition, an external body will also be employed to monitor Prada’s progress in these areas across the next six years. But it’s not just Prada the commission is scrutinising, with Dior and Gucci next to be targeted according to The New York Times. 

The move comes after Prada was criticised for including what was described as ‘blackface imagery’ in displays throughout one of its NYC stores in 2018, which it quickly removed and apologised for. 

Revisit the AW20 menswear show below.