Will Prada’s New Co-Creative Director Transform the Brand?
Calling all fashion lovers! Rumor has it that Prada will name Raf Simmons as its new co-creative director. Given that the high fashion brand has been led by Miuccia Prada, the granddaughter of Mario Prada, this announcement marks an end to her 40-year leadership as the sole director.
You may be wondering why Prada is making this shift after being so successful? Well, if one word applies to today's fashion industry, it is rebranding. Simmons has the potential to make Prada even more current and on-trend with the industry. Don’t believe it? Just take a look at these standout pieces from his 2020 collection.
Utilitarianism
Simmons’s most recent collection features a number of garments that carry a militaristic style. From hardware pieces, such as the buckles featured on this jacket, to other looks that feature leather jackets, Simmons appears to have a liking toward utilitarian fashion. The garments serve a purpose but are designed in a way that exudes high fashion.
Androgyny
A number of pieces in this collection are as feminine as they are masculine, and the traditional gender binary is made slightly less apparent. In this particular look, Simmons presents long smocks that definitely are not exclusive to menswear fashion. These shapeless garments have enough versatility to be used over or with many other garments, and it will be interesting to see whether Simmons brings this garment into his new role with Prada.
Texture Contrasts
Simmons experiments with different textures in single outfits. He seems to like using cashmere sweaters in contrast with other fabrics and uses the knitted fabric as an overlay for other pieces. The result is a series of looks that makes strikingly different textures look cohesive and fluid.
While Simmons’s directorial intentions with Prada are unclear, these designs show that he has a strong point of view. In the ever-changing fashion industry, change is good. But, in this case, it just might bring Prada into a brand new age.