Milly Gaines
Diet Prada, an Instagram account created by Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler, began in 2014 as a way to highlight similarities between runway pieces and older designs. The account gained popularity for its ''call-out'' culture, exposing copycat designs and addressing issues within the fashion industry. Liu and Schuyler remained anonymous for the first three years, only revealing their identities in 2017. Diet Prada has been praised for its impact on the industry and described as a powerful voice, but it has also faced criticism and lawsuits for its methods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year the blog started | 2014 |
| Founders | Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler |
| Type of blog | Instagram account |
| Type of content | Calling out copycat designs, design rip-offs, and racial views |
| Anonymous | Yes, for the first three years |
| Revenue streams | Sales of merchandise, brand partnerships, and museum collaborations |
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What You'll Learn
Diet Prada's beginnings
Diet Prada, the self-proclaimed "fashion watchdog", was created in 2014 by Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler, who met while working at the American accessories line Eugenia Kim. The Instagram account was initially anonymous, only revealing the identities of its creators in 2017. Liu and Schuyler would browse runway show photographs, noticing similarities between new pieces and older designs, and created their Diet Prada account "just for fun".
The account quickly gained a large following, with power players such as Naomi Campbell, Edward Enninful, and Gigi Hadid among its early supporters. Diet Prada's mission was to expose copycat designs and call out the fashion industry's dirty laundry. The account's popularity was related to the "'call-out' culture of the internet" and a shift in consumer attitudes towards more conscious shopping.
One of Diet Prada's most famous examples of calling out copycat designs was their accusation of high-profile blogger Danielle Bernstein, who they suspected of ripping off a black-owned small business's mask designs. The backlash from this post was intense, with Bernstein receiving death threats and strangers turning up at her home. This incident highlighted the potential consequences of Diet Prada's actions, as they received criticism for the angry and threatening comments directed at Bernstein by their followers.
Despite the criticism, Diet Prada has continued to be a powerful voice in the fashion industry, working with brands such as Ferragamo and Tommy Hilfiger and earning revenue through sales of merchandise and premium subscriptions. They have also been described as agents of "cancel culture", as they set out to eradicate influencers or brands from popular culture by publicly pointing out their flaws.
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Founders' identities revealed
Diet Prada is an Instagram account and fashion watchdog group. It was created in 2014 by two then-anonymous founders, later identified as fashion industry professionals Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler. Liu and Schuyler met in 2010 while working together at the American accessories line Eugenia Kim. They left the brand in 2015 but kept in touch. The two would browse photographs of runway shows, noticing similarities between the pieces and older designs, and created their Diet Prada Instagram account "just for fun".
They remained anonymous for the first three years of the account's existence, eventually revealing their identities in an October 2017 feature in The Fashion Law. Liu was born in New York City and earned a fine arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As of October 2017, he ran a menswear brand called YOU AS. Schuyler, on the other hand, grew up in Saint Augustine, Florida, and was a designer for the eyewear company FGXI. She owns and runs a consulting practice.
Diet Prada has been described as "the most feared Instagram account" by The Business of Fashion in May 2018 due to the repercussions faced by brands it has criticized. Fast Company described it in May 2019 as "one of the most influential voices in the fashion industry right now." The account has been criticized for allegedly giving preferential treatment to brands with which it has collaborated. However, Diet Prada has also been praised for serving justice in the fashion industry, targeting everything from lighthearted copycat situations to heavier topics like the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
Today, Liu and Schuyler both consider Diet Prada their primary occupation. They have a manager, Estate Five co-founder and Bag Snob blogger Tina Chen Craig, and have worked with brands such as Ferragamo and Tommy Hilfiger. They also sell merchandise and premium subscriptions.
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The Dolce & Gabbana incident
Diet Prada, an Instagram account created by Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler in 2014, has become one of the most influential voices in the fashion industry. The account gained popularity by posting about the similarities between runway pieces and older designs. Liu and Schuyler remained anonymous for the first three years, only revealing their identities in 2017 when a rival fashion blogger exposed them.
One of Diet Prada's most notable incidents involved the luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana. The incident began when Diet Prada posted about the brand's marketing ideas, which many found offensive. This sparked a wave of criticism and backlash for Dolce & Gabbana, with the hashtag #boycottdolce trending in China. Hundreds of Chinese individuals scheduled to appear in a Dolce & Gabbana show withdrew, and the show was ultimately canceled.
The incident highlighted the power of Diet Prada's platform and its ability to effect major change within the fashion industry. It also sparked discussions about the role of cancel culture and whether critics were more focused on canceling Diet Prada than addressing the issues it raised. Some criticized Diet Prada for its "takedowns" of brands, while others defended it, arguing that it brought attention to important issues that the fashion industry needed to address.
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'Fashion watchdog'
Diet Prada, the self-described "fashion watchdog" of Instagram, was created in 2014 by Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler. The pair met while working at the American accessories line Eugenia Kim and created the account "just for fun". The account's purpose was to highlight similarities between runway pieces and older designs, exposing copycat designs.
Liu and Schuyler remained anonymous for the first three years of the account's existence, only revealing their identities in 2017 when they were outed by a rival fashion blogger. By this time, they had already gained significant influence, with their posts reaching viral status and causing major changes within the fashion industry.
Diet Prada has been praised for its mission to expose copycat designs and bring attention to issues of exploitation and lack of diversity within the industry. They have been described as "moral arbiters in an industry not historically known for its conscience". However, they have also faced criticism for their role in "cancel culture" and for allegedly giving preferential treatment to brands with whom they have collaborated.
Despite the mixed reactions, Diet Prada has undoubtedly made an impact on the fashion industry. With their large following and influential voice, they have the power to effect change and hold brands accountable for their actions.
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'Cancel culture'
Diet Prada, a fashion watchdog Instagram account, was created in 2014 by Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler. The account was run anonymously for the first three years of its existence, with the creators revealing their identities in 2017. Diet Prada has been deemed an example of "cancel culture".
The account has been described as "the most feared Instagram account" due to the repercussions faced by brands that have been criticised by Diet Prada. For instance, a Dolce & Gabbana video advertisement for their upcoming fashion show in Shanghai was deemed racist. Diet Prada shared screenshots of direct messages allegedly from Stefano Gabbana, in which he appeared to denigrate China and Chinese people. The hashtag #boycottdolce began to trend, and the show was eventually cancelled.
Diet Prada has also been criticised for allegedly giving preferential treatment to brands with whom it has collaborated. Some brands and individuals criticised by Diet Prada have reported receiving angry and threatening comments from the account's followers.
Amidst the present political climate, Diet Prada has been able to fit the trend of social media activism and cancel culture. Diet Prada has highlighted copied designs, cultural appropriation, and a lack of diversity in publishing and fashion companies. Through their efforts, Diet Prada has demonstrated how cancel culture can be effectively used to bring about positive change. People are realising that by unfollowing, boycotting, and explaining their rationale, problematic entities will be forced to adopt more ethical practices or be eliminated entirely.
However, some fashion insiders have criticised Diet Prada's callout-and-cancel approach to fashion and pop culture, arguing that the account often misses the mark by searching for the inflammatory angle instead of working towards a cohesive platform for a reformed fashion industry. As systemic initiatives push the fashion industry to change, Diet Prada struggles to adapt.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet Prada was created in 2014 by Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler.
Diet Prada was created by Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler, who met while working at the American accessories line Eugenia Kim.
Diet Prada is a fashion watchdog that aims to expose copycat designs and call out unethical practices in the fashion industry.
Diet Prada earns revenue through sales of merchandise, partnerships with brands and institutions, and premium subscriptions.
