Prada

By Hayden Lu

 

Prada is one of the most well-known Italian luxury brands today. It was founded by Mario Prada and his brother Fratelli Prada in 1913. They started this brand as a leather goods shop, selling luxury purses, bags, and accessories. Mario disapproved of women working outside of the household as it was normal for men to treat women this way in the early 1900s. Therefore, he only allowed men to help run his brand. However, his son did not want to take part in his father’s business and instead, his daughter Luisa Prada inherited the family business for the next 20 years. Soon after, Luisa’s daughter, Miuccia Prada, joined her mother in the family business. 

 

To this day, Miuccia is still the head designer of Prada. In 1979, Miuccia created her first ever Prada handbag. It was a simple black bag made out of an uncommon luxurious fabric, Pocono nylon, a fabric that Prada revolves around today. Interestingly, Pocono fabric was used for military tents and parachutes. Captivated by this beautiful material, Miuccia found a fabric that would be the complete opposite of the typical couture fabrics such as linen, velvet, or leather. I would have never guessed that nylon would be used for a luxury brand. When I think of nylon, I think of it as a streetwear fabric or an outdoor fabric that brands like Patagonia uses. At the time, most handbag businesses wanted the material to be easy to carry around and be waterproof. She announced her first successful line in 1984, which included well-designed black handbags made of woven nylon. This line became famous overnight and was referred to as “The Classic Prada Handbag”. However, there was one particular product that caught everyone’s eye, and it was called the Vela. This was an extremely simple backpack, which was of course made out of shiny, black nylon. 

 

Four years later, she began to launch ready-to-wear collections. Miuccia was inspired to create clothing that resembled workwear and uniforms. Her designs were not the average luxurious ones most people want or love right when they see them on the runway. The off colors and exotic prints were purposely used to make the audience reconsider what they liked and try to adjust to the unique clothes. In 1994, Prada created a ready-to-wear line that consisted mainly of nylon pieces. This made a drastic change for the brand. After the line was launched and its success, nylon started becoming Prada’s most iconic fabric. 

 

Prada today continues to lure customers, young and old, to this minimalistic yet traditional luxury brand. The over $110 billion company creates clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories for women, men, and now children. There are 54 Prada stores in the United States and 635 stores in the entire world today.