The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2022 - Issue 32

bitefashion W hen you think of Prada, high fashion aesthetics, chic ateliers, catwalk shows in Milan, oversized sunglasses and iconic fragrances come to mind. Decades after Mario Prada and his brother Marti- no founded Fratelli Prada (Prada Brothers) in 1913, the brand would advance its vision with modern technologies and the arts. The brothers opened their first store in the prestigious Gal- leria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, selling elegant handbags, leather goods, imported steamer trunks and travel accessories. Nothing more is known about the siblings except they received the title of Official Supplier of the Italian Royal House. This honour allowed them to display the House of Savoy coats of arms and the knotted rope design in its trademark logo, making them a benchmark for the Italian aristocracy and upper-middle class. Whilst Mario was against women working in the busi- ness, he had to accept his daughter, Luisa Bianchi, as his suc- cessor since his son did not harbour an interest in the company. Almost 20 years after taking the helm, Luisa passed the leader- ship baton to her daughter Miuccia (previously known as Ma-