From pop culture to style history’s trends, Prada is a mainstay name. Heralded by Miuccia Prada, the Italian fashion house prides itself with its functional yet luxurious pieces, challenging the norms of the brands that came before it.
But how did this now-household name in fashion reach its formidable status today? Below, find out all the essentials to Prada in our comprehensive guide.
Table of Contents:
- Prada History
- Prada Creative Directors
- Most Iconic Prada Bags
- Most Iconic Prada Shoes
- Filipino Celebrities Wearing Prada
The History of Prada
Before becoming the household name in luxury that it is today, Prada first found its footing in Milan, Italy. In 1913, Mario Prada and his brother Martino started Fratelli Prada, a leather goods shop located at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which still exists more than a hundred years later. There, the shop initially sold precious bags, trunks, and travel accessories.
The brand’s first steps into grandeur began in 1919, when Prada became the official supplier of the Italian Royal House. This particular title allowed Prada to brandish the House of Savoy’s coat of arms and knotted rope design next to its name. Today, this can still be found in the emblematic triangle logo, which continues to represent the house of Prada.
With Mario’s retirement in the 1950s, reports have said that the Prada founder had a traditionally patriarchal view, and planned to pass on the family business to his son. Yet, he had no interest in this inheritance, prompting Mario to turn over Prada to his daughter Luisa.
In the middle of the 1970s, the mantle was soon passed on to Mario Prada’s granddaughter, Miuccia Prada. Then in her 20s, Miuccia was fresh out of a PhD in political science with no formal background in fashion and design, but she would soon become one of the trailblazers that changed the trajectory of Prada as we know it.
In 1977, Miuccia would meet her future husband and business partner Patrizio Bertelli, who would lend the “entrepreneurial intuition” to her “sophisticated creativity.” At the tail-end of the decade, Prada expanded their product range and debuted their first collection of women’s shoes.
Later in 1983, Prada developed their network of directly-owned stores by highlighting a shade of light green in their boutiques’ interior, now called the “Prada green.” It first opened in Milan in Via della Spiga, which was then followed by branches in New York, Madrid, London, Paris, and Tokyo.
In 1988, Prada introduced its first Fall/Winter womenswear collection. The particular collection mostly took cues from Miuccia’s own style, with a prevalence of dark tones and schoolwear-esque aesthetics, making it a minimalist and classic take backdropped by the vibrant 1980s.
In the early ’90s, the brand expanded to China, Japan, and the USA. They created their first ready-to-wear and footwear collection for men in the same decade, with neutrals and monochrome looks taking center stage on the runway.
In 1997, Prada launched the sports line Linea Rossa, which was rooted in Patrizio Bertelli’s passion for sailing. Here, they crafted pieces out of nylon, which would give way to Prada’s trademark creation, the Prada Nylon Bag.
At the start of the millennium, the Prada Group launched its first sunglasses and optical frame collections, and would later expand into fragrances years after the launch of its first headquarters in the United States.
Prada Creative Directors
During the mid-’70s, Miuccia began her tenure at Prada as an accessories designer. Since then, the Prada head helmed the creative aspects of the brand, shaping the most recognizable pieces and silhouettes in the past few decades. Miuccia is noted to have brought “ugly chic” into the forefront, adding a political aura to her fashion choices.
It was in 2020 when a significant new voice was brought into the Prada repertoire, with Raf Simons signed on as Miuccia’s co-creative director.
The Belgian designer shares “equal responsibilities for creative input and decision-making” with the Prada figure, with the Spring/Summer 2021 womenswear collection as their first collaboration that brought about a play of interesting fabrics and self-expression.
The Most Iconic Prada Bags
The Italian luxury house is almost synonymous with the use of nylon, prevalent among its most popular bags. A breakthrough in 1985, the material for Prada bags was a distinctive choice among other brands’ proclivity for leather, making it an intersection between luxury and practicality.
Aside from nylon, Prada also makes a significant use of Saffiano leather in its most recognizable pieces. All in all, the label boasts clean-cut shapes that prove its timeless nature, owing to its functionality and durability.
Re-edition Nylon Mini Bag
First made popular in the 1990s, the Nylon Mini Bag returned to the spotlight in 2019 alongside the noughties style comeback. The 2005 re-edition features the classic silhouette with a curved hobo bag shape crafted from regenerated nylon.
Re-Edition 2005 Nylon Mini Bag, $1390 (P78,000), PRADA, prada.com, Farfetch, Saks Fifth Avenue, Mytheresa
Galleria
Dubbed a “hallmark of Prada’s identity in the 21st century,” the Galleria, made from Saffiano leather, is the label’s take on a classic and enduring material. The spacious bag highlights a clean design with its rectangular figure, double top handles, and metal hardware.
Medium Saffiano Leather Galleria Bag, $4400 (approx. P247,000), PRADA, prada.com, Mytheresa, Farfetch, Saks Fifth Avenue
Nylon and Saffiano Leather Backpack
Adding “cool” to luxury, Prada’s nylon backpack was pioneered by Miuccia, with her design ethos of pragmatism in mind. The rucksack with its drawstring closure and front pockets is one of its most recognizable, while the nylon and Saffiano edition mixed the best of Prada’s both worlds.
Nylon and Saffiano Leather Backpack, $2250 (approx. P126,200), PRADA, prada.com, Farfetch, Mytheresa, Saks Fifth Avenue
Click here for a list of the best Prada bags to invest in.
The Most Iconic Prada Shoes
Practicality also takes the spotlight for Prada’s famous footwear, with utilitarian pieces and maxi soles filling recent fashion-forward trending pages. Not only that, recent shoes have also showcased Miuccia and Raf’s take on femininity with the signature Prada spin.
Monolith Brushed Leather Loafers
Distinguished by its bold look, the Monolith Brushed Leather Loafers is Prada’s offering on the classic shoe type. The monolith design highlighting its duality is described to be “essential in the aesthetics of the brand,” made all the more prominent with the enameled triangular logo.
Monolith Brushed Leather Loafers, €990 (approx. P60,000), PRADA, prada.com, Farfetch, Mytheresa
Patent Leather Slingback Pumps
The Patent Leather Slingback Pumps bring a touch of feminine allure to Prada’s shoe roster. The pointed heel features a geometric heel, topped with the padded triangle logo that gives its three-dimensional effect.
Patent Leather Slingback Pumps, $1200 (approx. P67,000), PRADA, prada.com
Monolith Brushed Leather and Re-Nylon Boots with Pouch
Fusing its essential nylon into military-type footwear, the Monolith Brushed Leather Boots achieved cult status in stylistas’ eyes with its removable pouches belted onto its form. The pair is a modern spin on the uniform, made with brushed leather, maximalist sole, and metal eyelets and laces.
Monolith Brushed Leather and Re-Nylon Boots with Pouch, $1750 (approx. P97,990), PRADA, prada.com, Mytheresa
Click here for a list of the best Prada shoes to invest in.
Filipino Celebrities Wearing Prada
Anne Curtis
Actress and host Anne Curtis is often spotted with Prada picks in her style arsenal. To complement her Y2K look, Anne opted for a piece like the Re-Edition 2000 Re-Nylon Mini Bag, which looks fresh in cornflower blue.
Heart Evangelista
Fashion week regular Heart Evangelista rocked her en-route style to Prada’s Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2023 showcase with the Nappa leather tote, adding a hint of functionality to a glitzy number.
Liza Soberano
Making her fashion week debut, Liza Soberano made the apt choice to witness the Spring/Summer 2023 collection of the Italian brand. The young actress was dressed in head-to-toe Prada, with the Monolith Loafers and Embellished Satin and Leather Mini Pouch as the finishing touches.
Mimiyuuuh
The go-to footwear of Preview Best Dressed 2023 honoree Mimiyuuuh includes Prada’s Monolith boots in its knee-high iteration. She pairs these with other highlights from the brand, like the curved leather shoulder bag.
Pia Wurtzbach
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach proves that Prada can be an essential piece in comfortable athleisure too, as she sports recent favorites like the Ribbed Knit Jersey Tank Top for her airport look.
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