The Spring/Summer 2021 collection by Prada was hands down one of the season’s most buzzed-about for its historical significance: the debut of the combined creative forces of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons as co-creative directors.
What are the reactions from the floor though? We get Prada fans – from hardcore collectors to observers and aspirants – to weigh in.
“I watched the show with my mom, who is the reason why I love Prada. It was great to witness this new beginning with her and have an intergenerational conversation about what the brand means to us – she sees ‘essentials’, I see ‘frame of mind’.
To us, the collection is a greatest hits of details: the coat-clutching, the logo (now XL and in fabric on the ready-to-wear), the leather pull tabs. Look 7 (a nylon wrap, shirt and pants combo) is my emotional favourite: its shade of baby pink is the same one on the Prada nylon bag from the ’90s that my mom saved and passed onto me.”
“I think that it is a beautiful first joint collection, coherent in terms of its design language. It does feel quite safe – I miss the clever, quiet subversion that the Prada brand has always been known for.
I do honestly believe though that Raf Simons and Mrs Prada are two of the most intriguing designers of our time and this unprecedented union of their creative prowesses can only mean that their collections will get increasingly better.”
“Watching the show (back in September), what caught my eye were the wrap coats – worn off-shoulder then clutched in front by hand. With these vulnerable times, this way of dressing is almost like a shield to protect from the outside world.
The collection is very sensitive to the times: stripped back to the essentials, it’s nice to see that a woman can be pared back, but still powerful. And perhaps it’s also a reflection of what society should be now less is more.”
“Bringing two strong individuals with their own unique style and opinions together proves that the brand is ready to shake things up. Raf’s distressed sweaters and silk-screened graphics (designed by his longtime collaborators Peter De Potter) paired with Miuccia’s feminine silhouettes make a modern symphony. Unexpected change is welcome!”
“I’m into it! It’s Raf-heavy, but let the man have his play time, you know? Some might see the collection as a little blasphemous towards the original house codes, but I don’t think that that’s a bad thing. In fashion, new things are good things. This is what the wide-eyed girl in me hopes for fashion to be again: awe-inspiring.”
Main Photography Stefan Khoo Styling Assistant Jasmine Ashvinkumar Hair Sean Ang Makeup Clarence Lee Model Daryna/Mannequin
A version of this article first appeared in the March 2021 No-Rules edition of FEMALE