My slight obsession with Prada started a few years back, when Prada first came out with the Saffiano bags the colour of blue eggshells. Their luxurious leathers and practical approach to the essential pockets and space showed me that Prada was more than just the leather goods boutique that it started out as.
Now with the help of Harrods, Prada has opened their retrospective in the Pradasphere with their most notable collections from the last years, as well as brand history displays and their famous accessories, like the iconic nylon backpack launched in 1950.
History is not what Prada is about at all though- ever since the takeover by Miuccia, the brand has become a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and the world of contrasts, which really appealed to me… As a person who wonders why sweet and salty have never been put together, going with opposites is ideal!
I think one of the reasons I have always wanted to be part of the big bad fashion world was because of people like Miuccia who were not afraid to risk their brand image to move in a new direction, and I think that now more than ever it is important to remember that although fashion is a business, it is also an art form, a way to express creativity. Prada’s fun collections- who wouldn’t want to be a 1950’s Americana housewife or a part of a girl gang- mean that women do not need to feel stifled by what they wear.
Maybe as a visual activism against fashion becoming a sea of clones people should take to their appearance in the same way- look to dressing up, either in pretty heels or not as a way of conveying ones own personal outlook on themselves and the world around them. After all, there have been so many times in history when women have shown that their clothing can change how others look at them, like wearing the fierce red lipstick during the war.
Even now I am worried about that red pout being too forward, too provocative. However, as I choose to express my silly attitude with pastels and riviera dresses, others would rather show their maturity with black and textures. Isn’t there always a hidden meaning behind what people put on every day? This item may help you get that dream interview or dazzle those at the next soirée. Yes, some will say that wit and intelligence should be enough to get you ahead, but does that mean that the clothing you buy is also as expressive? Every choice made with what you wear is something that will be scrutinised, especially in the fashion world where images are shown daily on every social media portal.
And I guess that is the reason that I am now a proud owner of a re-issued pair of forest green Prada shoes, based on their A/W 2012 collection. After all, there are only a few pairs and who wouldn’t want to be individual…
STYLION 