Prada

Prada is a famous Italian fashion brand. It was founded in Milan, Italy in 1913 by brothers Mario and Martino Prada. In the early days, it focused on leather products such as handbags and suitcases. Now it has expanded to a wide range of fields such as fashion, shoes, and perfumes. It also owns brands such as Miu Miu , Church’s , and Car Shoe .

· Brand History ·

The original name of the Prada brand was Fratelli Prada (Prada Brothers), and the founders were brothers Mario & Martino Prada from Milan, Italy . In 1913, the first Prada store opened in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan , mainly selling handbags, suitcases and accessories. After six years, due to its excellent quality and design, it became the official supplier of the Italian royal family in 1919.

The classic Saffiano leather was born in the early days of the Prada brand. It was developed and patented by Mario Prada . This machine-embossed and waxed leather has a unique cross-grain, is stiff and full of texture, waterproof and durable. Mario Prada began using this leather to make handbags in 1913.

After Mario's death, because his son had no intention of inheriting the business, the company was entrusted to his daughter Luisa Prada . In 1975, Luisa's daughter Miuccia Prada joined the family business and was responsible for accessory design. Three years later, she officially became the heir of the company . In the late 1970s, Miuccia met Italian businessman Patrizio Bertelli , and after they got married, they jointly promoted the development of the Prada Group.

In 1979, Prada launched its first collection of backpacks and handbags , made from durable, waterproof and beautiful Pocono military-spec nylon . The collection failed to take off due to high prices and lack of advertising, but it laid the foundation for future success. In 1985, Prada's first iconic backpack was launched. This black nylon backpack immediately caused a sensation in the fashion world and increased the international visibility of the Prada brand.

Miuccia Prada's designs in the 1980s combined industrial and craft trends. In her first black nylon backpack and handbag designs in 1985, she deliberately did not highlight the brand logo, creating a low-key, simple and high-quality design sense, which was completely different from the industry's emphasis and highlighting of brand logos at the time. Her inspiration for printing the Prada logo on a triangular metal plate is said to come from the antique trunks and locks of her grandfather Mario Prada .

From the 1980s to the 1990s, Prada gradually established wholesale distribution channels all over the world, opened stores in Milan, New York, Madrid, London, Paris, Tokyo and other places, and continued to penetrate the markets of the United States, China, Japan and the Far East. In the process of expanding stores, Prada took into account the shopping experience of customers and launched a variety of innovative brand experience methods, such as "Green Store" and "Epicentre" . The first "Green Store" opened in Via della Spiga, Milan in 1983. The layout of the store is characterized by light green walls, which has become the store image used by the brand to this day.

PRADA store in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

In the early 20th century, Prada proposed the "Epicentre" project , trying to integrate products, technology and architecture to provide customers with more trendy services. From 2001 to 2004, Prada cooperated with Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron to set up "Epicentre" flagship stores in New York, Tokyo and Los Angeles .

PRADA Epicentre Flagship Store New York

As a fashion brand, Prada has always been committed to promoting art and culture. Since the establishment of the Prada Foundation in 1993, Prada has actively participated in art exhibitions, architectural projects, film programs and other projects, and has achieved many results. In 2000, Prada's new headquarters was unveiled in Via Bergamo, Milan . The entire complex took four years to complete and covers an area of 10,000 square meters. The Prada Space in the headquarters has held many fashion shows so far.

In addition to the Milan headquarters, the Prada Group's New York headquarters and production plants are also impressive. Prada's New York headquarters was established in 2002 and was designed by Herzog & de Meuron Architecture ; its three "garden factories" were designed by Italian architect Guido Canali and are located in Montegranoro, Montevarchi and Valvigna, Italy.

PRADA Valvigna production plant in Milan, Italy

In 2011, Prada Group rented the garden house "Rong House" in Jing'an District, Shanghai , and started a 6-year renovation project. On October 12, 2017, Prada Rong House was officially unveiled and the "PRADA Rong House: Historic Residence Unveiling Special Exhibition" was held to show the Prada brand's attention to historical and cultural heritage.

PRADA Rong House

At present, the designer of the Prada brand is Miuccia Prada , the third-generation heir of the family business . She has won the International Design Award issued by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the International Designer of the Year Award issued by the British Fashion Council (BFC), and was selected as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine .

Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of the Prada Group, is Miuccia Prada's husband. The two have been co-operating in the company since 1977 and have continuously promoted the diversification of products. So far, they have successively launched women's shoes, women's clothing, men's clothing, glasses, perfumes and other products; founded the light luxury brand Miu Miu for young customers ; and acquired leather brands such as Church's, Car Shoe , and Tannerie Hervy .

PRADA 2019 Spring/Summer Fashion Show

PRADA 2019 Spring/Summer Fashion Show

·Chronology of major events·

Representative series

Sidonie Series

Cahier Series

Galleria Series

Nylon Series

Margit Series

Mirage Series

Canvas Tote Series

Elektra Series

Nylon Backpack Series

Belt Bag Series