Prada, off-kilter chic.
A subtle alliance of modernity and traditional know-how, Prada revolutionised the world of fashion with its avant-garde collections. A leading light in the luxury market, the Italian brand has been very successful thanks to its collections of footwear, bags and fashion accessories. It now offers a full wardrobe to dress women who are elegant and contemporary.
A family affair.
In 1913 artisan leather goods maker Mario Prada and his brother Martino Prada decided to launch their boutique in Milan and specialise in the confection of luxury bags. They very quickly built up major renown with their designs which offered quality and aesthetics, attracting a wealthy and demanding clientele. In the 1950's, there was a lot less interest in the brand, which suffered two decades of falling sales before the arrival in 1977 of Miuccia, the granddaughter of Mario Prada. Miuccia modernised the collections and breathed new life into the House of Prada. The Italian label began to flourish internationally and bolstered by the momentum created by the new director, Prada diversified, in turn proposing collections of shoes, women's ready-to-wear and then lines of menswear. In 1995, with the Prada Foundation, the label branched out from the domain of fashion and embraced cultural initiatives.
Initially known for its leather bags, the hundred-year old brand has managed to develop its range of products and diversify into women's and men's ready-to-wear, footwear, and fashion accessories but also into an array of tie-in items around luxury products. The lines of leather goods have adapted to the daily lives of active men and women and come in a multitude of formats and designs. The most emblematic are probably Prada's Cahier bag and the leather tote.
Off-kilter luxury taking on the world.
Prada's history is marked by the bold choices made by Miuccia Prada. In the 1980's, the famous nylon bag became one of the brand's cult products and is still a must-have accessory today. A reference in the world of luxury, Prada cemented its reputation throughout the globe in 2003 thanks to the publication of the novel "The Devil Wears Prada", which was made into a film in 2006. The Prada empire has become a powerful group, and owns prestigious fashion houses such as Miu Miu, nicknamed "Prada's baby sister", Church’s, Car Shoe and Azzedine Alaïa (which they sold in 2007). A favourite on the catwalks and red carpets, Prada has adeptly used a selection of choice muses to convey its values. Kim Basinger, Linda Evangelista, Natalia Vodianova and Léa Seydoux are among the celebrities who have had the honour of representing the House of Prada. A few years ago now, the Italian brand added a new string to its bow and started offering a personalisation service.
Prada continues to amaze us with its innovative and sophisticated designs. Managed masterfully by one of the most inspiring and influential women in the world, the Italian brand will continue to bring out iconic designs just like these three legendary products: