This Racist Dolce & Gabbana 'Slave Sandal' Is Causing Outrage

Iconic fashion brand Dolce Gabbana is under fire once again for a controversial marketing decision, this time after its release of a product it is marketing as a "Slave Sandal."

The spring ’16 collection features what D&G describe as a “Decorative Flat Sandal In Napa Leather With Pompoms," which is retailing at the whopping price of $2,395.

While many upscale e-commerce websites are sticking with the name, some of D&G's retailers are offering a smarter approach and have decided to remove the word “Slave” from the description, naming the footwear the “Pom-Pom Leather Lace-Up Sandal” instead. 

However, social media users have expressed outrage, with many wondering why D&G have not stuck with the more widely accepted term "Gladiator Sandal" often associated with the same kind of lace-up silhouette design.

Dolce & Gabbana. I love you, but why are you glorifying slavery? #slavesandals #fashionfail #marketingfail pic.twitter.com/rG0K2qkSYa

— fEROSh Lifestyle (@FeroshLifestyle) March 3, 2016

I had a SUPER long but GREAT day at work. Then this. The $2,400 #SLAVESANDAL. https://t.co/O3R2JH8wA4

— Dr. Heidi R. Lewis (@therealphdmommy) March 4, 2016

It is not the first time the world-renowned fashion house has faced backlash over its marketing decisions.

In 2013 D&G's collection included a series of racist earrings modeled "off of mammy" for the full colonial look as well as a group of Asian models representing the “kind of tourists that arrive in Italy”. And it did not end there.

In 2015 a number of the brand's main designers expressed highly reactionary views by attacking gay adoption and commenting negatively on infertile couples who undergo vitro surrogacy.

Elton John was just one of the celebrities who criticized the fashion house following its anti-gay slurs, announcing a public boycott of the company on Instagram.