Prada invites
Following the collaboration with Roman and Erwan Bouroullec, Konstantin Grcic, Herzog & de Meuron and Rem Koolhaas, the “Prada invites” series goes into the second round: Expressive nylon accessories, created in collaboration and dialogue with the architects Cini Boeri, Elizabeth Diller and Kazuyo Sejima, premiered on the occasion of the presentation of Prada’s current spring/summer womenswear collection in Milan this late September.
A look at the roles of women and their transformation in the course of social change forms an important part of designer Miuccia Prada’s creative work. She is particularly interested in strengthening women’s position through clothing, without depriving them of their femininity. On the contrary: The designer presents strong, autonomous and sexy women, amazons of our time. In almost all of her collections it is not exclusively pure aesthetics that take center stage, but also the functionality of an item of clothing or accessory – its application in everyday scenarios, which at the same time illustrates an attitude. Miuccia Prada also expresses her constant wish to question and modify conditions and structures, to share knowledge and continue to develop it, through her preference for interdisciplinary modes of working. One of her favorite materials is nylon: It has long since gained cult status in the world of Prada and recently advanced to being a key element in a new collaboration. Under the title “Prada invites” the designer lately invited three renowned female architects, Cini Boeri, Elizabeth Diller and Kazuyo Sejima, to provide a contribution to Prada’s spring/summer collection 2019 using nylon and based on personal experience.
The heavy courier bag by 94-year-old architect and designer Cini Boeri combines wear comfort and ample space for necessities on the basis of removable modules with an elegantly timeless silhouette and pared-back details. Ultimate Minimalism, look and form follow the function in a very classical way. Boeri’s industrial design background shows very clearly in this design with its focus on the usability of objects.
Using two padded handles in pink and light blue, the design by Kazuyo Sejima of SANAA can be transformed from the neck cushion “yooo bag” into the shoulder bag “daln bag,” reminiscent of a fold-out travel bag. With the addition of small, candy-colored pockets that may be flexibly attached to the hybrid, this piece questions the multi-functionality aspect in accordance with aesthetics. This brings Sejima’s creation very close to the vision of a woman sketched by Miuccia Prada for the coming summer.
Elizabeth Dinner of architecture office Diller Scofidio + Renfro, known for her multi-disciplinary approach, has provided the toughest and at the same time the most timely version of a nylon accessory: A utilitarian-looking clutch that may be converted into a rain coat – interpreted throughout in a masculine way with flap pockets, buckles and zips. The power and energy of Diller’s object come into their own when combined with Prada’s transparent knee-length socks, an overstated symbol of the female art of seduction.
