Slide 2

Prada is one of the most iconic brands in fashion history. The designers behind the brand have
continually striven to be innovative while maintaining their classically refined style. The House of
Prada has proven its longevity, and the Prada name will still be in demand for years to come. Here is
the history of Prada and the famous name.

Slides 3

The first Prada store opened in 1913 in the prestigious Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II in Milan, Italy.
Mario Prada opened the leather goods shop with his brother, Martino. The store sold bags, trunks,
steamers, and travel accessories.

Slide 4

In 1919, Prada was awarded the title of Official Supplier of the Italian Royal House. This prestigious
distinction allowed Prada to display the House of Savoy coat of arms and knotted rope design in its
trademark logo. This honor is what makes Prada a symbol of the Italian aristocracy.

Slide 5

This history of Prada gets even more interesting. In the patriarchal style of the times, Mario Prada
did not believe that women should work outside the home. He excluded his female family members
from working for his company. Ironically, his only son had no interest in the family business. His
daughter Luisa Prada took over the family business as Mario’s successor and ran it for almost twenty
years.

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In the mid-1970s, Luisa’s daughter, Miuccia Prada, joined her mother in the family business. Miuccia
initially devoted herself to designing accessories. She did continue the tradition of producing high-
quality bags and luggage for the family business.

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In 1977, Miuccia Prada met Patrizio Bertelli, a young Italian with his own leather goods business. He
joined the Prada family business and his partnership with Miuccia took the history of Prada in a new
direction. Miuccia’s sophisticated creativity and Bertelli’s entrepreneurial intuition helped expand
the Prada business.

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The company first added footwear to their growing product line in 1979. Its first collection of
women’s shoes was well received. The business continued to grow and gain attention. Prada
expanded its network of directly-owned stores into markets all over the world. The stores were
known for their clean aesthetic as well as the unique green hue the walls were painted. The color
became known as “Prada Green.” The first “green store” opened in Milan in Via della Spiga.
Boutiques in London, Madrid, Tokyo, Paris, and Tokyo followed.

Slides 6
The global success of the Prada brand pushed Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli in new directions. A
womenswear line was introduced in the late 80s. Prada’s first fall/winter collection debuted on the
catwalks of Milan in 1988. The designs were distinct due to their dropped waistlines and narrow
belts. The fashion world fell in love with Prada’s clean lines, luxurious fabrics, and color selections.
The history of Prada turned as they became one of the most coveted brands in the fashion world by
the early 1990s.

Slide 7

Prada launched its first men’s collection in the Spring-Summer 1998 season, presenting for the first
time the “monochrome look”. Just like women’s ready-to-wear, menswear was also characterized by
minimalism and a neutral color palette, in response to the maximalism of the 80s.

Slide 8

We cannot imagine Prada without nylon and especially the Vela backpack, which was the first
product made of nylon released by Prada in 1984 under the creative direction of Miuccia Prada. It
was made from water-resistant nylon called “Pocono”, which used to be reserved for military tents.
But Prada brought it into fashion – first with accessories and then to apparel in the Fall-Winter 1994
collection. The nylon bag was distinctive and unique compared to the conventional leather bags
luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel were producing at the time. It combined practicality
and luxury. And was a fashion statement that performance fabrics do have a place in fashion.
Miuccia Prada explains the reason for creating the nylon bag like this

Slide 10

Miuccia and Bertelli married in 1987, and the duo is still at the helm of the Prada family business.
The Prada industry houses several smaller brands, such as Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe, and
Pasticceria Marchesi. The heart of the business is still the Prada brand. The classic Prada Linea Rossa
was relaunched in 2018 to wide acclaim. Prada is most definitely here to stay.