Dolce & Gabbana has been recently enjoying a rush of positive PR thanks to their magical runway at their Fall 2016 show in addition to their recent line of hijabs. However, they’ve made a critical misstep with their new “Slave” sandals.
The colorful pom pom sandals are a part of the Spring 20’16 collection and are now available online for pre-order. The sandals are on their website under the full name of the “Slave Sandal in Napa Leather with Pom Poms” and priced at $2,395.
Interestingly, the sandals are also available on other retailers websites like Saks Fifth Avenue with the names “Pom Pom Wrap Around Sandal” and the “Pom-Pom Leather Lace-Up Sandal.” It seems these retailers found it necessary to change the offensive name, unlike Dolce & Gabbana.
According to Footwear News, “While the term is, in fact, a description for a particular lace-up shoe silhouette, it is almost entirely obsolete with the now widely-preferred description “gladiator sandals.”
The brand has yet to make a statement and so may are left wondering about this controversial decision when a less offensive term has been used for so long. What do you think of the brand using the term “slave”?
*Obviously D&G started feeling the heat, as the sandal is now named, “Decorative Sandal in Napa Leather with PomPoms” on the site.
Thoughts on the revise?