Prada is an iconic Italian luxury fashion house, founded in 1913 by Mario Prada. Mario and his brother Martino began the brand as a leather goods company located in Milan, titled Fratelli Prada, and within just a few years, the label was made Official Supplier of the Italian Royal House. With such a prestigious clientele, Prada was later run by Mario’s daughter Luisa Prada who was soon joined by her own daughter, Miuccia Prada, in the 1970’s.
The 1970’s saw transformative expansion to Prada. Patrizio Bertelli joined the company with a background in the leather goods industry and a strong entrepreneurial discernment which proved invaluable to the brand. Paired with Miuccia Prada’s distinctive creativity, the duo propelled the label from strength to strength, expanding into footwear at the end of the ‘70’s and womenswear in the late ‘80’s. From here, Prada became world-renowned for their luxurious clothing featuring clean lines with a distinctive, innovative edge which continues to this day. Miuccia Prada remains at the helm of the brand- joined by Raf Simmons since 2020, the duo work together as co-Creative Directors.
Since the beginnings of Prada, the label has been known for their innovation, utilising modern aesthetics and unexpected materials to produce classic yet contemporary pieces which continuously manage to transcend trends. Both unique and refined, Prada offers cutting edge designs for men and women, encompassing ready-to-wear, shoes, bags and accessories. Clean lines remain distinctive of the brand, throughout decadent brocade dresses, chunky boots and terry cloth shorts. Minimalist sensibilities are accented with unexpected details, and Prada often merges sophisticated design with playful details. The signature nylon bag from the 1980’s was recently reintroduced, proving a covetable accessory once again. Other nylon-detailed designs have followed, such as new bag shapes and nylon accented tops and dresses. Utilitarian daywear references streetwear, from longline puffer jackets to logoed bucket hats and cargo-style wool trousers. Eveningwear of embellished dresses and puffed skirts meet sleek suits and opulent accessories. From cool, daily dressing to polished occasionwear, Prada is continuously timeless.
With stores found all across the world, Prada can also be found online through the brand’s own website. Their collections can also be accessed through stockists such as Selfridges, Net-a-Porter and Matches Fashion.