Call it cultural chaos theory, or a high fashion-era shuffle, but Prada’s SS25 show had it all. A deliberately bonkers mix of heavy duty S&M leathers jangling with rings, pussy bow blouses, cowgirl fringing, space age silhouettes and bourgeois sixties tweeds trimmed with fur – all vied for attention.
Afterwards the designers explained that the jolting randomness was a comment on the flattening effect of algorithms which push the same things towards us in endless repetition. No same but slightly different here. No circle jerk of likes. The algorithm had been well and truly broken. “We wanted to show there are many ways of being Prada,” said Mrs Prada.
It was a bold move, that paid off handsomely. With no overarching theme, what did stand out was the singular appeal of many of the Prada pieces. A great leopard coat and vintage look suede jacket here, a glorious 3D embroidered dress there and skinny rib onesie there.
From the sure-to-go-viral, bug-eye bucket hats and mirror vinyl minis, to oh-so-Prada pleated skirts, which hung from heavy duty metal loops attached to belts, there was plenty of high fashion catnip on show.
It was also a glorious shoe-fest starring wonderful winged heeled pumps, origami kitten heels, loafers with extravagantly curled tongues, studded Mary Janes and battered cowboy boots. It was a cacophony of style. Radical, rule-breaking and all the better for it.
Photography courtesy of Prada.
prada.com
