Prada Reimagines Basics with Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons

Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons introduce a fresh take on fashion basics, transforming traditional jeans into leather and technical fabrics for their latest collection. Appearing at Milan Fashion Week, the designers aimed to create men’s fashion accessible to everyday people, rather than solely catering to fashion aficionados.

Spring and Summer Uniform

The upcoming Prada spring and summer collection features tailored, cropped jackets paired with five-pocket pants. These pieces are matched with classic blazers or leather bomber jackets.

Italian Cuisine Inspiration

Simons drew an analogy with a staple of Italian dining, commenting, “Sometimes you simply realize you need a good pasta pomodoro.” This reflects the collection’s grounded inspiration.

From Denim to Leather

While inspired by jeans, Prada herself admitted she had never worn them, yet Simons has recently returned to wearing jeans after years of preferring wool pants. The unexpected pairing of five-pocket pants and flat-pocket jackets emerged as Prada’s new uniform, characterized by their tailored fit.

Luxurious, soft leather featured prominently, showcased in monochromatic hues like antique white, gray, burgundy, and turquoise, all to the backdrop of rock guitar riffs. Select pieces used a nearly transparent technical fabric, ideal for Europe’s current heatwave. Only a few final looks incorporated authentic denim.

Distinctive Accessories and Footwear

Short shirts and knit vests exhibited geometric patterns, accented by contrasting silk scarves tied around the waist. Colorful waist bags served as the sole handbag style, sometimes linked with thick belts. A sharp pointy shoe with velcro straps rounded out the ensembles.

Connecting Fashion with Real Life

Prada expressed the collection’s aim was to offer universal pieces and avoid “useless design,” a prevalent issue in other runway shows.

Simons noted that the designers sought to reconnect fashion with authentic dressing habits. He observed that historically, some of the strongest fashion ideas originated “from the street,” rather than luxury brands and catwalks.

“It’s a clear, vertical, simple, sharp silhouette, proud. Lots of white, peaceful, hopeful, purifying. We believe this collection challenges the perception of traditional luxury in high fashion,” Simons stated.

Minimalist Presentation

In a spirit of simplicity, the collection debuted in a bare showroom, with transparent bench seating. Every guest had a front-row view, while the VIP section included NBA star Anthony Edwards, musician and actor Troye Sivan, K-pop group ENHYPEN, and British actor Louis Partridge.

Excited fans bore the early summer heat to greet their favorite celebrities.