Retail News CRM

Tag: Embraces

  • Prada Embraces Indian Craftsmanship: Launches Authentic Kolhapuri Sandals to Mend Cultural Appropriation Rift

    Prada Embraces Indian Craftsmanship: Launches Authentic Kolhapuri Sandals to Mend Cultural Appropriation Rift

    Prada, the renowned Italian luxury brand, is set to debut a limited-edition collection of sandals crafted in India, bearing a keen resemblance to the traditional Indian Kolhapuri footwear. This initiative comes just months after the brand had to face a wave of criticism for showcasing similar designs without giving due credit to their Indian origins.

    Price Point & Controversy

    These exclusive pairs, each having a price tag of approximately 750 euros (US$881), are set to make a grand entrance into the luxury fashion platform. This initiative has its roots in a controversy that stirred up in June 2025. Prada was under fire for presenting sandals at a Milan fashion show which greatly resembled the traditional Indian Kolhapuri chappals. This led to an uproar among Indian artisans and political figures, who claimed this to be a case of cultural appropriation.

    In response, Prada acknowledged the inspiration drawn from the timeless Indian styles and disclosed that it had initiated discussions with artisan groups for potential collaboration.

    Production & Distribution

    In December, Prada revealed its plans to manufacture a total of 2000 pairs of these Indian-inspired sandals. This production will take place in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka, as part of agreements with two state-endorsed organizations. This collaboration aims to blend localized craftsmanship with innovative Italian technology.

    The brand announced that these sandals will be available for purchase in 40 carefully chosen Prada outlets around the globe, as well as online.

    Artisan Training Programme

    Moreover, Prada has initiated a three-year training programme specifically designed for artisans hailing from the eight districts in India traditionally associated with the crafting of Kolhapuri sandals. This programme, divided into six-month structured modules, will be delivered by two esteemed Indian design institutes. The objective is to enhance the skills of 180 artisans, with the first batch starting next month.

    In a statement, Tanu Kashyap, the director general at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “It is time that Indian traditional crafts take their rightful place on the world stage”.

    Additionally, these artisans will be given a chance to visit the Prada Group Academy in Italy to enhance their technical prowess further.

    Questions & Answers

    What was the controversy Prada faced in June 2025?
    Prada faced backlash for showcasing sandals at a Milan fashion show that resembled traditional Indian Kolhapuri chappals, without acknowledging their cultural origin.

    How is Prada merging traditional Indian craftsmanship with Italian technology?
    Prada plans to manufacture 2000 pairs of sandals in Maharashtra and Karnataka in India, in collaboration with local artisans and under agreements with two state-backed organizations.

    What is the three-year training programme initiated by Prada?
    Prada has kicked off a three-year training programme for artisans from eight districts in India traditionally associated with Kolhapuri sandal-making. Delivered by two leading Indian design institutes, the programme aims to enhance the skills of 180 artisans.

  • Google Messages Embraces Trash Feature, Enhancing Message Recovery: A Page from Samsung and Apple’s Playbook

    Google Messages Embraces Trash Feature, Enhancing Message Recovery: A Page from Samsung and Apple’s Playbook

    Google Messages has been the focal point of numerous updates recently. With a keen emphasis on enhancing user experience, developers have introduced new features and improvements. One such feature is an updated Details page, designed to increase usability. Further modifications are on the horizon, with a significant change in the pipeline concerning how the platform handles message deletion.

    Recovering Mistakenly Deleted Messages

    Presently, if a user attempts to delete a message in Google Messages, a pop-up warns the user that deletion is permanent and irreversible. This means once the “Delete” button is clicked, the message is permanently erased. However, situations may arise where a conversation is accidentally deleted, or a user realizes they need a message that was previously deleted.

    In response to such scenarios, Google has implemented a Trash feature in their messaging app. Notable in the beta version 20260227 of the app, this feature aims to retain accessibility to deleted messages.

    New Trash Feature Replaces the Delete Option

    The new trash feature supersedes the existing delete option in Google Messages. With this feature, when a message is deleted, it is moved to a new trash folder instead of being permanently discarded. This folder can be accessed by tapping the profile icon located in the top-right corner of the app and selecting the “Trash” option.

    Deleted messages remain in the trash folder for 30 days. Users have the option to restore all messages or delete them all simultaneously using the ‘restore all’ or ‘delete all’ icons. There’s also a provision for restoring or deleting individual messages.

    The previous delete option, which appeared when opening a conversation and tapping the three-dot menu, has been replaced with the new Trash feature. The swipe actions menu has also been updated to display the new Trash option in place of Delete.

    Consequently, upon the rollout of this update, users cannot permanently delete messages immediately. Instead, messages will first transition to the Trash section, providing users with a second chance to review their content. If a user is certain that a specific message isn’t required, they can permanently delete it from the trash section.

    Google Messages Follows in the Footsteps of Samsung and Apple Messages

    The concept of a trash folder may seem familiar to users of Samsung Messages or Apple Messages. Samsung’s app features a dedicated Recycle Bin section, storing deleted chats for 30 days before permanently erasing them.

    Likewise, Apple devices move deleted messages to a Recently Deleted section, where users can choose to either restore the message or permanently delete it. Both Samsung and Apple’s messaging platforms have incorporated this feature for years, and Google Messages now joins the bandwagon.

    Questions & Answers

    What happens when a message is deleted in the new Google Messages update?
    When a message is deleted in the new Google Messages update, it is moved to a Trash folder instead of being permanently erased. Users can access this folder from their profile icon.

    How long will deleted messages remain in the Trash folder?
    Deleted messages will be stored in the Trash folder for 30 days.

    Can users restore deleted messages from the Trash folder?
    Yes, users have the option to restore all messages at once or select individual messages for restoration. They can also permanently delete all or selected messages from the Trash folder.

  • Zara Embraces AI Revolution: Transforms Fashion Photography with Real-Life Model Imagery

    Zara Embraces AI Revolution: Transforms Fashion Photography with Real-Life Model Imagery

    Fast-fashion powerhouse Zara has ventured into the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), employing this sophisticated technology to hasten and streamline the process of creating new images featuring real models in a range of outfits. This venture is part of an emerging trend in the fashion industry that promises to transform the landscape of fashion photography.

    AI Adoption: A New Chapter for Fast Fashion

    Following in the footsteps of its Swedish competitor H&M and the European online retailer Zalando, Zara has begun to harness the power of AI in its marketing strategy. This shift towards AI integration may pave the way for quicker and more efficient creation of visual content.

    A representative of Zara’s parent company, Inditex, stated that the company is currently utilizing AI technology not as a replacement for traditional methods but as a supplement to existing processes. The company continues to collaborate with its models, obtaining their consent for the use of AI in manipulating their images, and offering compensation in line with industry standards.

    It was revealed that Zara approached models to request their permission to edit their images using AI technology, promising to pay them the same remuneration they would receive for participating in another photoshoot.

    AI as a Complement, Not a Replacement

    Similarly, H&M and Zalando, like Inditex, have emphasized that AI serves as a tool to enhance the efficiency of their creative teams’ processes and not as a substitute for their roles. This position mitigates the potential threat to photographers and production teams who are integral to fashion shoots.

    Inditex chair Marta Ortega, who is also the daughter of founder Amancio Ortega, is known for her passion for fashion photography. Through her Marta Ortega Perez Foundation gallery in A Coruna, where Zara was founded, she has hosted exhibitions featuring the works of renowned photographers. The gallery currently hosts an exhibition of Annie Leibovitz’s fashion photography and has previously exhibited works by esteemed photographers Steven Meisel and Helmut Newton.

    Ortega has been steering Zara towards a more upscale market image by consolidating its stores and focusing on larger, more stylish flagship outlets.

    The Impact of AI on Fashion Photography

    Isabelle Doran, the CEO of the Association of Photographers in London, weighed in on the implications of AI adoption in fashion photography. She indicated that the use of AI could potentially decrease the frequency at which photographers, models, and production teams are hired. This shift could affect not only established professionals but also emerging fashion photographers struggling to make their mark in the industry.

    Questions & Answers

    What impact does the use of AI have on the fashion industry?
    The adoption of AI in the fashion industry can streamline production processes, increase efficiency, and potentially alter the dynamics of fashion photography.

    How is Zara utilizing AI technology?
    Zara is using AI to create new images of real models in various outfits quickly and efficiently. This technology is used to complement and enhance existing processes, not to replace them.

    What could be potential implications of AI adoption for fashion photographers and models?
    The widespread use of AI could impact the frequency of commissions for photographers, models, and production teams, potentially affecting the opportunities and income of professionals in the industry.