With a pandemic around and social distancing advised “The Show That Never Happened” might be an apt title for most fashion collections this season.
Whilst designers, editors and buyers might be missing the buzz of well-heeled crowds at fashion week, Prada got creative as is Miuccia’s way. The Spring Summer 2021 ‘show’ came in form of a digital film streamed on 14 July. Cleverly, the brand sent out physical invites to editors (a nice touch) for the digital release.
The video took the collection apart through five different lenses and showcased ‘Multiple Views’ of renowned creatives around the globe including Terence Nance, Joanna Piotrowska, Martine Syms, Juergen Teller and Willy Vanderperre. They each interpreted the Prada man and woman in their own way in a chapter. A stitching together of all five perspectives captures different facets of this Prada collection, one that was very “distinct and definite”. The clothing — so very precise and pristine if not a tad sombre — featured plenty of black, tennis whites, greys and strict silhouettes. A quirky take on office rigidity was subverted with sensuality. This, of course, is something that’s always quite tangible at the brand.
All eyes are on Prada this year after all – since the February announcement that Raf Simons would join Miuccia Prada as the Co-Creative Director at the famed Italian powerhouse. Simons took up his role in April, working in partnership with Miuccia Prada with “equal responsibilities for creative input and decision making”. Simons, a famed menswear designer who helmed Jil Sander, Christian Dior and Calvin Klein, is one of the rare names and talents that seem quite befitting of a Prada legacy. In this SS21 digital film, it was just Miuccia appearing at the end to bow — signalling their co-creative director debut would be next season, under hopefully more rousing, live circumstances.
The Prada and Simons match is arguably one made in fashion world heaven and will be a clever way to bring Prada into the new decade. The calibre of these two names is sure to set off a new, energetic chapter for the brand, spinning a powerful proposition of innovation and creative imagination during tough times for fashion. Watch this space.
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