Prada FW26 Explores the Multifaceted Realities of Women Through Radical Layering
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons present a masterclass in daily transformation and contradictory tailoring.
Summary
- Prada officially introduces its Fall/Winter 2026 womenswear collection during Milan Fashion Week with a profound focus on transformation and personal history
- Co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons explore the process of layering, highlighted by Bella Hadid progressively stripping down her look on the runway
- The immersive presentation took place inside the Fondazione Prada amidst a curated selection of historical artifacts spanning five centuries
Prada has officially unveiled its Fall/Winter 2026 womenswear collection during Milan Fashion Week, delivering a profound reflection on the multifaceted realities of modern women.
Conceptualized by co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, the seasonal offering is heavily informed by a fascination with the process of layering. Serving as a live lesson in this sartorial transformation, supermodel Bella Hadid anchored the show, taking multiple trips down the catwalk while progressively stripping down her outfit to reveal the intricate layers hidden beneath. The collection acts as a manifestation of how clothes are authentically worn throughout daily life, representing a complex buildup of personal histories, memories, and experiences. By utilizing a highly defined cast of 15 women, the presentation draws deep attention to the ever-shifting facets of individual character and self-determination.
From a design perspective, the garments challenge hierarchical dressing through a precise mixing of contradictory elements. Classic tailoring seamlessly collides with active sportswear and embroidered satin dresses, speaking directly to a distinctly Prada language of fashion. The apparel features superimposed materials that are intentionally eaten away to reveal archival pieces embedded within minimal outer layers. Adding a tangible sense of lived history, the collection employs unique patinating techniques, resulting in intentionally faded fabrics and beautifully aged embroideries.
Echoing the conceptual depth of the clothing, the runway presentation was held at the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada. The immersive space was populated by original artworks and significant objects spanning five distinct centuries, including 16th-century tapestries, 18th-century Venetian mirrors, and vintage 1900s furniture. Much like the garments themselves, the curated artifacts reinforce a layered, inherently personal meaning filled with ceaseless possibilities.
