Prada controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Designer sues Prada over abandoned Rolls-Royce project
Lawsuit filed
Hong Kong-based designer Jonathan Riss filed a High Court lawsuit accusing Prada of breaching written and verbal agreements for a joint marketing initiative to redesign Rolls-Royce cars, and seeking at least US$5 million in damages. The allegations are claims in the lawsuit.
Source excerpt
In a High Court lawsuit filed on Thursday, Jonathan Riss accused the Italian brand of breaching various written and verbal agreements to jointly develop a marketing initiative which he said Hong Kong-listed Prada unilaterally abandoned for accountability reasons.
A Hong Kong-based Belgian designer is taking fashion powerhouse Prada to court, claiming at least US$5 million in damages for the alleged repudiation of a partnership agreement to redesign a series of Rolls-Royce cars for exhibitions and events worldwide.
2019
Prada sues Wharton Properties landlord over lease suspension and scaffolding
Lawsuit filed
Prada filed a lawsuit in Manhattan on Christmas Eve, alleging that Jeff Sutton was trying to withdraw a planned lease suspension and had refused to remove scaffolding that Prada said was harming its business. These are allegations stated in the lawsuit.
Source excerpt
The parties struck a deal, according to a lawsuit Prada filed on Christmas Eve in Manhattan: Prada would temporarily leave — with a year’s notice from Sutton’s Wharton Properties — while the landlord undertook the work.
Prada, which had taken steps to vacate its store, wants Sutton to suspend the lease as planned and pay the $5 million.
2011
Gender-discrimination controversy connected with Hong Kong listing
Prada’s Hong Kong listing drew protests from feminist organizations and legislator Lee Cheuk-yan in connection with a gender-discrimination case. The controversy focused on the company’s employment practices and the decision to approve the listing.
2008
Runway footwear failures at the spring/summer 2009 show
Several models stumbled or fell during Prada’s Milan spring/summer 2009 ready-to-wear presentation because of difficult high-heeled shoes and slippery socks. Prada said retail versions would use a lower heel and modified construction, but the runway shoes were not commercially released.