On Thursday, September 19, Prada dazzled attendees at Milan Fashion Week with its Spring/Summer 2025 collection, featuring a bold mix of accessories and mirrored metallics.
Artistic directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons have once again pushed the boundaries of fashion with Prada’s latest offerings. Celebrating outlier status amidst a sluggish luxury market, Prada showcased a vibrant blend of 1990s grunge, evocative flair, and 1960s space-age chic inspired by French designer André Courrèges.
The collection was a journey through decades, merging conflicting eras into a cohesive narrative that defied traditional fashion chronology. Prada’s design philosophy highlighted individuality as a form of modern superheroism, as noted in the show’s accompanying literature.
Backstage, the creative duo elaborated on their vision, aimi
ng to merge Prada’s historic aesthetic with contemporary influences, encapsulating the cool, the sexy, and the serious. The runway was alive with contrasts: thick steel-ringed leather belts upheld garter-style skirts, and a black shift dress clinked with each step of the model. A standout piece included an oversized black sweater dress adorned with beige fringe and bold stripes, paired with a black transparent dress with exaggerated ruffled sleeves over a green bodysuit.
Prada also played with more daring designs, like a lightweight black dress embellished with feathers and a neon orange anorak. Yet, it retained its refined elegance with pieces like a buttercup coat dress featuring a shawl collar and a 1960s-inspired simple black dress with ivory bands.
Despite a challenging economic climate, Prada continues to thrive, reporting a 17% revenue growth in the first half of the year. This growth is supported by a 93% increase at Miu Miu, enhancing Prada’s overall 6% sales rise. The brand’s ability to maintain its DNA while innovating has cultivated a loyal following and a revered spot in the luxury market, ranking third in the “hottest brands” index by Lyst.
Antonio Bandini Conti, a haute couture coordinator at Milan’s European Institute of Design, praised Miuccia Prada’s approach to fashion. Since 1978, she has deconstructed the bourgeois wardrobe, introducing disruptive elements that maintain divine proportions and refined taste. This balance of tradition and innovation has solidified Prada’s identity and customer base, even in tough economic times.
Prada’s CEO, Andrea Guerra, emphasized the need for agility and precision in product range, communication, and global positioning to navigate the current economic uncertainties, including low customer confidence and economic slowdowns, particularly in China.
With AFP
