The process of pondering a Prada show is always a little bemusing. Each season throws up a procession of artsy, eccentric, potentially ugly pieces – yet instantly, we need them. Therein lies Ms Prada’s talent – she holds the inimitable ability to create something so wildly peculiar and plonk it straight at the top of every fashion-insider’s new-season wish list.
For SS16, such pieces were in abundance. Boxy skirt suits in clashing, colour-blocked stripes spoke both of 1970s nostalgia and sci-fi futurism. Midi-length dresses were loaded with artsy appeal, amped-up with lattice-like veils that sprawled over the décolletage.
The accessories, as usual, dominated the #prada Instagram feed: exotic skin-spliced Double Bags and spangly, shoulder-skimming ear baubles – not to mention those gilded architectural heels. Those are destined to be photographer catnip come February’s round of fashion weeks.
The street-inspired (make-up artist Pat McGrath’s words) beauty look, which revolved around a metallic gold lip and wet-look baby-hair bangs, could have been plucked straight from a street-style Pinterest board. Crazy, yes – but aren’t you already imagining a watered-down, real-life version?
A thing to note: no trousers. Is Ms Prada’s anarchic heroine going soft? With that gold lacquer on her lips, and those metallic heels on her feet, we think not.
by Roberta Lister