Prada is Back: Here's Why This Is the Brand You Should Be Wearing
From nada to Prada.
The past year has been all about resurrecting old trends. From Burberry‘s iconic Nova Check and Louis Vuitton‘s monogram pattern going from tacky to must-have fashion, to Vetements collaborating with Juicy Couture – anything is possible. There’s no doubt that we’re seeing a blast from the past in the fashion industry right now, and we’re embracing it to the fullest.
The next label on the come up is Italian fashion house Prada. Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada, his eponymous label has grown into one of the most notable luxury brands in the industry. Fronted by his granddaughter Miuccia Prada, the fashion house has remained a constant throughout the years with its notable handbags and elegant collections, but hasn’t seen much of a peak in the past couple of years. That is, until the brand’s Fall/Winter 2018 collection paraded down the runway in Milan. The models sported pieces with a modern athleisure influence, with an overarching aesthetic that you could describe as a futuristic take on minimalism. The collection also brought back Prada’s iconic nylon material in the form of bags, hats and apparel, as well as the label’s retro logo front and centre – making the collection an ode to the fashion house’s modern elegance and its influence in early ’90s.
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Not only did the fashion show put Prada in a different light, the brand also debuted its Cloudbust sneaker a few days earlier, which had the fashion community divided. With the “ugly” sneaker trend being at its peak, the Italian fashion house saw an opportunity and embraced it with open arms. The new quirky, almost child-like silhouette has turned into a must-have for high fashion connoisseurs and streetwear enthusiasts alike, and one could easily compare it to the hype surrounding the coveted Balenciaga Triple-S sneaker.
The cloud-like silhouette from which the shoe got its name is striking and bold, and is the perfect statement piece to put Prada back on the map. The retro-futuristic aesthetic that the brand has adapted not only highlights the house itself, it has also proven that Prada isn’t just for “luxury loving women.” With cute bucket hats and chunky outerwear, the collection caters to a new, streetwear-centric audience that the house hasn’t targeted before, allowing for a whole new culture to be born.
FEE-GLORIA GROENEMEYER/@FEEGLORY
If you’re still not convinced Prada is the brand to wear, take a scroll through Instagram. The brand is on the rise and can be seen everywhere – and if you want to get on the trend, the time is now. Gigi Hadid stepped out wearing head-to-toe Prada, sporting track pants, combat boots and a futuristic windbreaker, as well as an patterned tote bag with the brand’s logo. A$AP Rocky also wore the brand’s recent collection in concert, completing the look with the Cloudbust sneakers and a bright red nylon bum bag – it is only a matter of time before the trend blows up.
The resurgence of Prada is now, so dig up your old nylon bags and wear them with pride. If you’re looking to hop on the trend, the Prada Cloudbust sneakers are available in select sizes over at MATCHESFASHION, and have a look at platforms like eBay and Grailed if you’re trying to cop an old school Prada bag.
Instagram/@prada
