History of Prada

The Prada label was created by Mario Prada in 1913 and first consisted of handbags, shoes, trunks and suitcases. Mario started out by selling his products in two small boutiques in Milan, Italy. He initially made suitcases out of walrus skin, but they did not travel well by air. Therefore, he decided to make leather handbags that were also waterproof. Mario’s granddaughter, Miuccia, took over the label in 1978. Miuccia, a mime with a PhD in Political Science, had an absolutely amazing fashion sense. She brought the label into the world of classy couture.

Miuccia conceived a waterproof backpack that was made out of Pocone, and in 1985 introduced a new classic Prada handbag that became an overnight sensation. In 1989, Prada announced their Pret-a-Porter (ready to wear) collection, which was elegant but designed to be worn every day. This line was designed with basic colors and luxurious fabrics. After these items, Prada’s popularity took off overnight. Prada's accessories tend to feature big, bold looks, which are often portrayed in their sunglasses and watches.

With Prada’s expansion all over the world, men's shoes have been added to the line. While Prada will likely be more well-known for its women's lines, the men's clothing has been selling remarkably well. Miuccia has been named one of the 30 most powerful women in Europe for taking Prada from a small leather goods label to a full fashion design label. Prada also became very well known for its “Prada Ugly” look, which included thick square glasses in outlandish colors. This line forced the fashion world to sit up and take notice, allowing Prada to become a front-runner in the fashion industry.