The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

bitecatwalk rewatching the show, I understood what she was trying to convey. This collection was, in a nutshell, the possibility of what women will be wearing very shortly. As an interna- tional society/human race, we are obsessed with gadgets, and above all, our phones, so this collection made perfect sense. It delivered what we’re all looking for, at this point, form and function meet fashion-forward luxury in easy to wear and stylish pieces. The show was filmed in a large, loft-like room designed by OMA/AMO with a lemony-yellow coloured carpet and walls. The large circular multi-screens and cameras hung from the ceiling and displayed each of the new-to-the- runway model’s look numbers and names as they walked through the space. The clothes themselves were minimal- istic in shape and silhouette. Still, they had a street-art flair while being perfectly tailored, a distinct design aes- thetic that can be traced back to Simons’ influence, but the detailing and styling are most definitely characteristic of Miuccia’s trademark looks. During the post-show interview with the two designers, they explained key points about the collection. They answered questions about everything, from how they worked together to their inspiration and execution of this collection. Simons said, “Prada-ness has a very specific attitude, intellect, aesthetic - you can’t really define what it is, but you feel it, it exists, it is there, it’s present.” He looked back at the last 25 years of the brand’s history, where things were and how they’ve evolved to today’s needs and desires. In his research, he discovered that there has always been a Prada uniform. Again, he told Foley of WWD, “I was thinking of how I have perceived Prada over 25 years, and one thing that came out instantly was uniform. A uniform gives a sense of community. In the context of reduction, the idea of a uniform is a representation of longevity. In all honesty, I have been looking at Miuccia, how she is dressed, her uniform. It is what she finds important.” This uniform was seen and felt as explicit references were made throughout the entire collection. Prada’s legend- ary inverted triangular logo was seen in various sizes on everything from the bustline of the dresses to the tongues of the shoes, the long, ‘90s pant sets, and the fantastic ‘clutch coat’! I swooned over their collaborative and re-im- aginative take on this outerwear piece. For one, I am a die-hard fan of all outerwears, and statement coats and their merging interpretation of this icon wardrobe staple was fantastic. Sprinkled throughout the line-up in coordinative colour schemes to the garments underneath, several models walked clutching their coats worn off-the-shoulder, at the chest in a nod to the romance and notion of it and showing its functionality piece. They brought back some of the prints from Prada’s past SS96 collection on skirts and hoodies, as well as Simons’ past use of graphics silk- screened on to satin shifts and his punctured knitwear like those seen when he was at Calvin Klein. I have to say, as a die-hard fan of both designers, I was delighted and thrilled to see how well they teamed up. Usually, when two expert individuals join forces in any work area, a vast butting-of-heads is expected; an explo- sion of egos and knowledge collide could result in either greatness or disaster. Thank goodness, in this case, true flawless fashion meant to take us from the past into the future in grace, elegance and style was achieved. Thank you both for providing us with a map to follow! https://www.prada.com/gb/en.html