Photo Credit: Courtesy of Prada
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Co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons delivered a collection that embraced inherent pluralities, reflecting the complexities of identity, memory, and daily existence through an innovative exploration of layering.
The show’s concept centered on how women truly wear clothes in real life—adapting, adding, and shedding layers throughout the day as moods, roles, and circumstances shift. This was brought to life dramatically with a tightly curated cast of just 15 models, each walking the runway four times. With every appearance, layers were removed (or occasionally added), revealing new combinations and underscoring the idea that a single outfit holds multitudes. What began as a fully composed look—perhaps a coat over a dress or jacket—gradually simplified, exposing underlying pieces that told a different story. This repetition created a sense of evolution and self-determination, highlighting agency in how women present themselves.
The collection fused disparate elements in true Prada fashion: precise tailoring met sportswear, embroidered satin dresses collided with utilitarian pieces, and contradictory compositions formed a non-hierarchical wardrobe. Fragments and fractures sparked curiosity—garments featured “mutations” visible on the surface, hinting at hidden depths. Fabrics were superimposed and intentionally “eaten away” for revelation, with corroded wool yielding to blurred florals, faded materials, and aged precious embroideries suggesting items that have truly lived. Archival dresses appeared embedded within minimal outer layers, evoking buried memories unearthed over time.
The presentation echoed these themes in its setting: the Deposito space of Fondazione Prada was populated with original artworks, antique furniture, and objects spanning five centuries—from 16th- and 17th-century tapestries and paintings to 18th-century Venetian mirrors and consoles, alongside 20th-century pieces. Like the clothes, these artifacts carried layered meanings—personal, intimate, and open to endless interpretation—bridging historical and contemporary narratives.
Critics and observers noted the show’s intellectual depth, with intentional “messiness” in decayed, frayed, and soiled elements contrasting precise craftsmanship. Bella Hadid’s multiple walks exemplified the de-layering process, drawing attention to subtle details that demanded closer inspection—shimmering linings peeking through slashes, faux fur accents, and covetable accessories like kitten heels and structured bags.
In an era of cultural overload, Prada distilled style into a powerful, radical language of lightness and complexity. The Fall/Winter 2026 collection didn’t just propose clothes; it proposed a way of being—ever-shifting, resilient, and unapologetically plural. As Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons continue to redefine fashion’s possibilities, this show stands as a reminder that true elegance lies in embracing life’s inherent contradictions.
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