The latest Prada collection at Milan Fashion Week showcased innovative designs by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. They transformed basic looks with leather and technical fabrics, aiming for styles that resonate with everyday people, not just fashion enthusiasts.
Prada’s Fresh Spring/Summer Uniform
For the upcoming spring and summer, Prada introduced fitted, cropped jackets and five-pocket trousers. These pieces were paired with timeless blazers or leather blouson jackets. Simons highlighted the necessity of simple yet essential selections by metaphorically comparing them to the basic Italian dish, pasta pomodoro.
Although inspired by jeans, Prada mentioned she had never worn denim, while Simons recently revisited them after years of favoring wool trousers. Despite this, the updated five-pocket trousers partnered with flat-pocket jackets established a new Prada uniform, characterized by their tailored, cropped designs.
The majority of outfits were crafted from luxurious, soft leather in monochromatic shades of ancient white, gray, burgundy, and turquoise. These appeared on the runway alongside rock guitar riffs. A subset featured a nearly transparent technical fabric, ideal for Europe’s current heat wave. Only a few final pieces used real denim.
Striking Features and Accessories
The collection also included short shirts and knitted vests with geometric patterns, accented with contrasting silk scarves tied at the waist. Colorful fanny packs were worn at the waist, often fastened to thick belts. Pointed shoes with multiple Velcro straps completed these striking looks.
A Return to Street Influences
Prada and Simons crafted universal pieces, avoiding unnecessary design elements. Simons emphasized reconnecting fashion with practical dressing, noting that many significant fashion ideas originate from streetwear rather than luxury brands.
Simons described the collection’s silhouette as clear, vertical, and sharp, often featuring much white for a peaceful and hopeful vibe. He expressed that this approach challenges traditional luxury perceptions in high fashion.
The presentation remained simple, held in a bare showroom with transparent bench seating. All attendees had front-row views, with VIPs like NBA star Anthony Edwards, Troye Sivan, K-pop group ENHYPEN, and British actor Louis Partridge in attendance.
Fans braved the summer heat to see their favorite celebrities.
Translated with assistance from an artificial intelligence tool.