Prada
Mario Prada established his Milan-based business in 1913, originally as a shop selling leather goods and imported luggage. Miuccia Prada inherited her family’s company in 1978, and among her earliest designs were backpacks and totes made out of a durable military grade black nylon; she had seen her grandfather use this textile to cover steamer trunks. Ready-to-wear was launched in 1988 and immediately appealed to stylish working women with its clean lines and high tech, covert luxury. The 1990s brought success after success for Prada, with its vision of complex femininity. The brand used vintage influences with a modern attitude, and showed artistically inspired and unusual juxtapositions to create forward-thinking fashion. Prada’s pillars include luxe knitwear, Italian tailoring, and chic dresses. The house maintains its status as an accessories powerhouse with the Symbole adorned Cleo and Re-Nylon bags and much sought-after chunky loafers. Raf Simons joined as co-creative director in 2020, solidifying Prada’s stature as a stronghold of idiosyncratic, intellectual fashion.