For subscribers
Prada scandal proves the power of India’s troll army
The episode shows the growing clout of the world’s most populous nation.
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
India’s beloved Kolhapuri sandals are a staple in wardrobes across the sub-continent.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Karishma Vaswani
Follow topic:
Retailing for as little as US$10 (S$12.80), India’s beloved Kolhapuri sandals are a staple in wardrobes across the subcontinent. So when luxury brand Prada debuted a new type of footwear at Milan Fashion Week that bore a stark resemblance to them, it didn’t take long for the fury to build online.
The saga underscores how much power the South Asian giant’s digital tribe holds, where online outrage regularly influences public debate – especially when citizens perceive their heritage is under attack. International firms eyeing one of the world’s fastest-growing markets should weigh the risks of these cultural missteps.
