The name Prada has become synonymous with style and luxury, with Prada handbags nearing cultural status symbol significance. Not only are they some of the most exclusive and sought after handbags in the world, they have taken their place in popular culture with stores in practically every country in the western world. It is a million dollar concern, with every celebrity wearing Prada accessories.
Prada began in 1913 when Mario Prada began selling shoes, handbags and trunks in Milan, Italy. His classic walrus skin suitcase gave way to the lighter, more practical suitcases as air travel made the heavy trunks obsolete. With the change to lighter materials he began to add high quality accents to his bags such as crystal or tortoise shell and wood. His business expanded to include waterproof garments sold primarily to the US market.
Muiccia Prada was born in 1950. In the early 70’s she began to make her own bags out of a waterproof fabric called Pocone. In 1979, she took over grandfather’s business and expanded it. She added luxury tote bags and backpacks made from nylon, to the line.
Miuccia Prada uses a lot of crunchy polyester, parachute nylon and other synthetic fabrics. She likes battleship green, browns, white, cream, and black colours. Her clothes, though often deceptively plain looking, have become widely influential. She gives traditional garments a modern handling, like trimming nylon parkas with mink and making trench coats and twin sets out of silk faille. It seems that the whole world craves Prada's ice-cool minimalism and deadpan eroticism.
