In 1913, Mario Prada started the Prada label by selling leather handbags, shoes, and trunks. Following his gaining experience in the United States and Europe, he started two boutiques in Milan.
Originally the classic style of Prada suitcase consisted of weighty walrus skin. When plane travel became more prevalent, the heavier suitcases became impractical and were replaced by lighter bags in addition to various high quality items consisting of tortoise shell, crystals and wood. Waterproof garments were sold in the United States. By the 1970’s however, the company had begun to declines.
Miuccia Prada was born in 1950. She had achieved a doctorate by her mid-20's, in political science. By her 30's, she had become a communist. It was in 1970 that she began constructing backpacks out of a waterproof fabric that was called Pocone.
By 1979, at the age of 29, Miuccia Prada assumed the family’s business. In the face of slumping sales she extended the business by developing a luxury tote bag along with backpacks made from nylon, appearing in black with flat classic lines.
By 1985 Miuccia began her line of footwear especially for women along with her initial pret-a-porter clothing line, employing fabrics of high quality.
Miuccia opened the company’s first menswear shop in Los Angeles in 1998. Stores were opened in Manhattan and Las Vegas.
Today Prada is now a worldwide empire. It has stores throughout the western world. You can't find a celebrity that is not wearing Prada clothes.
Prada’s style
The fabrics used included much crunchy polyester, parachute nylon as well as other synthetic fabrics. The colors include Battleship green, browns, black, white, and cream. Shapes are simple, skirts are knee length, belts are skinny and well known.
Although the Prada style is often plain looking, her clothes have become extremely influential. What are traditionally viewed garments receive a style that is modern. An example is her trimming of nylon parkas with mink, and here trench coats. It seems that Prada's ice-cool minimalism is attractive to the entire world along with their deadpan eroticism.
In the late 90’s and afterward, Miuccia’s husband Patrizio Bertelli acquired a series of businesses including Jil Sander, Helmut Lang, Fendi, Church Shoes, and others.
Jil Sander was taken over by Prada in 2000, but her fight with Bertelli led to her leaving. It was agreed at the time that until 2003, Jil Sander would not be permitted to have anything to do with fashion.
By the end of 2001, Prada was $ 1 billion in debt. For that reason they sold Fendi to LVMH for $250,000,000. This was followed by their sale of Byblos in 2002. They had only acquired the firm the year before but found themselves faced with a possible cash flow problem.