When we first heard back in february about Raf Simons joining forces with Miuccia Prada as co-creative director in one of the most well-known fashion houses in the world, we already knew their first collection together would bring a hint of exquisite lines and refreshing perspectives into Milan Fashion Week, and the whole scenario indeed.
Prada’s Spring Summer 2021 collection is called ‘Dialogue’, and it makes reference to the double partnership starting point in which both designers are settling their vision, concepts and creativity. Miuccia, on the one hand, has been enlightening Prada’s creations since 1978 whereas Raf Simons managed to make his way in the fashion industry as the creative director of his own firm in 1995, then Jil Sander, Christian Dior and lately, Calvin Klein, where his resignation has been connected to a lack of economic growth and design misunderstandings with Calvin Klein’s CEO, Emanuel Chirico.
Although this time the panorama seems to be rather different, mainly because of Miuccia Prada’s desire to embrace creativity and fashion above all, which turns out to be the best opportunity for Raf Simons to set his talented mind free and have no boundaries in terms of imagination. All in all, their first co-designed collection introduced a total of 40 looks into the runway without audience due to Covid-19, with figures that go along with monochromatic and pastel looks, two-tone sling back shoes, a nylon backpack and Prada’s logo as the ultimate leading element in blouses, tube dresses and a small version of it came to life in the shape of little earrings.
Undoubtedly, timeless uniforms were the common thread, a topic that was also mention in the conversation that Miuccia and Prada held after the digital fashion show, unveiling Miuccia’s beloved midi skirts in a line that brings the 50’s back, layering knitwear with modern cutouts as black minimalist straight pants inspired by Raf’s ideal. “It was very natural to design with one another. It’s easier emotionally, psychologically and intellectually”, said Simons. That is to say, the encounter proves to be the perfect balance between sophistication and tailoring, fragile gestures –when the models imitated Miuccia’s traditional hand over the chest– and intense glances, utilitarian outfits and feminine silhouettes.
In addition to this, it came as no surprise that Raf Simons has decided to attract Peter De Potter, a Belgian artist, to adorn the clothes with graphic design that included words such as live fiction, panorama of us and fiction alive. Either way, Prada’s future path will be something worth appreciating in detail.
