Lindsey Schuyler
Co-founder of Diet Prada
Lindsey Schuyler is a New York based designer and consultant who co-founded Diet Prada, the Instagram account that exposes copying, cultural appropriation and misconduct in fashion. Together with Tony Liu she built it from an anonymous hobby in 2014 into one of the most influential voices in the industry.
| Role | Co-founder, Diet Prada |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Co-founder | Tony Liu |
| Background | Eyewear designer and consultant |
| Based in | New York |
Who is Lindsey Schuyler?
Lindsey Schuyler is a designer who grew up in Saint Augustine, Florida, and is based in New York. She is one of the two founders of Diet Prada, a fashion commentary account that has shaped how the industry handles questions of originality and accountability.
Career
Schuyler worked as an eyewear designer before co-founding Diet Prada, and she has run a consulting practice. She met Tony Liu while both were working at the accessories and millinery label Eugenia Kim, and the two stayed in touch after leaving the company around 2015.
In 2014 they began Diet Prada as a light hearted project comparing new runway looks with earlier designs. The account was anonymous until October 2017, when Schuyler and Liu were revealed as its creators. Running it has since become a full time occupation for the pair.
Influence on the fashion business
In 2018 Diet Prada shifted from design comparisons towards wider accountability. Its role in the November 2018 Dolce and Gabbana controversy, when it shared screenshots of alleged messages from Stefano Gabbana after a campaign in China was criticised, was followed by the cancellation of the brand's Shanghai show. Dolce and Gabbana said the account had been hacked. The founders have described that moment as the point when they recognised their influence on the industry.
The Business of Fashion described Diet Prada in 2018 as the most feared Instagram account in fashion, and it passed three million followers by March 2022. Its effects on the market include:
- Designers and retailers apologising for or withdrawing copied designs
- Greater scrutiny of cultural appropriation in collections and campaigns
- Invitations from houses such as Gucci and Prada to attend Milan Fashion Week
- Collaborations with museums and international fashion councils
Lindsey Schuyler and social media
Diet Prada is built entirely on social media. Its business model combines merchandise, brand partnerships and account takeovers. This has drawn criticism about possible conflicts of interest, and some people targeted by the account have reported sustained harassment from its followers, which illustrates the risks of social media accountability.
Why it matters
Schuyler's work shows how individuals using social platforms can influence brand reputation as strongly as traditional media. For fashion companies, Diet Prada is a reminder that originality, cultural sensitivity and conduct are now checked publicly and in real time by a global audience.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Lindsey Schuyler?
Lindsey Schuyler is a New York based designer and consultant who co-founded the Instagram account Diet Prada with Tony Liu in 2014. She previously worked as an eyewear designer.
Who runs Diet Prada?
Diet Prada is run by its co-founders Lindsey Schuyler and Tony Liu, who were revealed as its creators in October 2017. The account calls out copying and misconduct in the fashion industry.