As a fashion content writer based in Asia, it’s always interesting to see what a major fashion house does with a familiar piece to take it in a totally new direction. And that’s what Prada did at Milan Fashion Week, bringing skirts to the fore for its latest collection and showing how one simple garment can hold so many different ideas.
The collection consisted of 63 looks, all of which were based on skirts and not on dresses or trousers. Most designs were in an A-line or knee-length shape, but styling gave each look its own character. Some skirts had leather pleats, sheer layers, bold prints, embroidery or contrasting details. They were styled in sweaters, shirts, lace pieces and simple heels for looks that could work for a variety of settings.
As a fashion writer, it’s what Prada does with the skirt that stays with me, more than just an outfit piece. And Miuccia Prada has described the garment as a way of expressing ideas, as other people might use a T-shirt to do so. Her love of contrast is also present throughout the collection, as she pairs feminine pieces with more masculine or laid-back items, rather than creating one cohesive look from head to toe.
Everyday Skirts with a Twist
The skirt in the Prada collection feels modern and flexible. Simple knee-length designs can look polished for work and can be more playful or expressive with different fabrics and styling. This approach broadens the scope of the skirt in everyday fashion, rather than restricting it to one kind of occasion.
“I think the collaboration between Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons is interesting in that their partnership continues to bring different perspectives into the Prada design process. One skirt idea became an entire runway concept for this collection, a reminder of how one idea can make a strong fashion story.
Milan Fashion Is Changing
Milan Fashion Week is also witnessing changes at several of the big Italian fashion houses other than Prada. Donatella Versace has left the family brand and Versace is gearing up for a new chapter with Pieter Mulier set to show his first Versace collection in a future season. Meanwhile Armani is ushering in a new era with the appointment of Dario Vitale at Emporio Armani and Fendi has also appointed Maria Grazia Chiuri.
For a fashion writer, these developments make the current fashion scene in Milan especially interesting. Prada’s focus on skirts might be only one collection, but it does demonstrate how a well-established fashion house can take a familiar garment and create a new visual direction. The collection gives the classic skirt more presence, and is another example of how fashion can evolve while still building on recognizable ideas.