When news broke that innovative and iconic Belgian-born designer, Raf Simons, would be joining Miuccia Prada as co-creative director of her namesake label, Prada; we waited with bated breathe for our first look at the new designer collaboration. Following their debut womenswear collection which was met with rave reviews back in September, the duo have now dropped their first menswear offering for FW21 – and it was certainly worth the wait.
Another idyllic marriage of Prada’s heritage and Raf Simons’ unique silhouettes and uniform-like designs, the FW21 collection was a celebration of the tactile; debuting a dreamy assortment of butter-soft leather, corduroy car coats with shaggy shearling collars and oversized Raf-esque v-neck sweaters reminiscent of winter nights and mulled red wine. The oversized XL bomber jackets presented in fuchsia and chocolate hues and finished with the iconic Prada pouch are the ultimate treat in wishlist-worthy outerwear.
Bold as always, the pair embraced vibrant colour-ways and clashing patterns throughout; creating a collection of wearable pieces that simultaneously reinforced and captured Prada's luxury essence.
Rewatch the show below.
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Presented through an online format, the garments and complimentary accessories weren't the only tactile element featured in Raf Simons' first Prada FW21 collection. The show's ultra-luxe, pastel-hued, faux fur box invite was a treat in itself; filled with a delectable assortment of Marchesi sweets – a sensory experience like no other. The show's set, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas was a wonderland of luxurious marble and resin floors offset by thick, shaggy carpeting in sugary pastels and rich jewel tones climbing up the walls.
Explaining the eye-catching set design, the luxury fashion house shared in a press statement that it is, “Inviting and seductive, they can pretend to be both interior and exterior, hard and soft, warm and cold: simultaneously both and neither, they allow absolute freedom of interpretation and expression," speaking directly to the collection which they likened to "the human body, and its freedom."
If like us, you dream of experiencing Koolhaas's remarkable set in person, the house revealed that the materials used to bring the show to life are set to be upcycled within Prada spaces and pop-ups around the world, before finally being donated to circular economy project, Meta – in collaboration with La Réserve des arts.
Following the duo's menswear debut, Simons and Prada sat down for a post-show Q&A, where they spoke live with students from around the world via Zoom. The co-creators discussed all, from how they’re finding working together to navigating a global pandemic as fashion designers. Revisit the Q&A in the clip below.
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If this is the calibre of thought-provoking and immersive design we can expect to see from this formidable pair, you can rest assured their partnership won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
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