Prada’s AW22 show was the ultimate Hollywood pick’n’mix.
On Sunday, Prada brought Hollywood to Milan. As we entered the luscious chartreuse show space at the Fondazione Prada, the movie theatre-like chairs hinted at spectacle about to ensue. As the show started, and the flashing blue tunnel began to open, the penny dropped. As actor Kyle MacLachlan strolled down the illuminated runway in a perfectly tailored black long coat with a baby blue shirt and gloves underneath, the audience knew that we are all part of Prada’s mirrors of reality, cinema and reference (think Prada AW12).
Following on the runway, the collection expressed uniformity and dignity together in beautifully crafted dropped shoulder leather coats that create an enchanting silhouette. In contrast, the silk printed boiler suits and matching gloves in beautiful pastel blues and greens brought a softness towards the heavy-duty outerwear. As actors Asa Butterfield and Ashton Sanders came onto the catwalk in shearling trimmed coats and double-breasted blazers, the holy matrimony of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons reached a crescendo of shape and finish. Trousers got the underwear treatment, as mint green boxers poking out of waistlines further confirmed that layering and play on colour are the duo’s signature for this season.
Accessories-wise, big day bags and travel bags got a muted, soft leather tactile finish that perfectly matched the strong ready-to-wear core of the collection alongside smooth leather sharp formal shoes to finish off each look.
As Jeff Goldblum came out in the final look of the collection and brought an enchanting stroll across the show space, there was a sense of dark mischief and soft fragility all working together in perfect union at the PradaVerse that was further exacerbated by bringing the best male actors across cinema and giving them to play around with the way they see the clothes, which is exactly what the genius of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons is all about.
