Prada Handbags
The name Prada has become synonymous with style and luxury, with Prada handbags nearing cultural status symbol significance. Not only are they some of the most exclusive and sought after handbags in the world, they have taken their place in popular culture, with references to their bags in television shows from Seinfeld to Sex in the City to Family Guy.
History
Prada began in 1913 when Mario Prada began selling shoes, handbags and trunks in Milan, Italy, originally under the name Fratelli Prada (“Prada Brothers”). His classic walrus skin suitcase gave way to the lighter, more practical suitcases as air travel made the heavy trunks obsolete. With the change to lighter materials he began to add high quality accents to his bags such as crystal or tortoise shell and wood. His business expanded to include waterproof garments sold primarily to the US market, but in the early 70’s the Prada Company began to decline.
Muiccia Prada was born in 1950. In the early 70’s she began to make her own bags out of a waterproof fabric called Pocone. In 1979, when her grandfather’s business was at one of its lowest points, she took over the company and expanded it. She added luxury tote bags and backpacks made from nylon, to the line. The classic, flat lines of the black bags caught helped bring the company out of the slump it had been in. In 1985 she launched a line of footwear and began making and marketing the company’s first ready to wear line of clothing. Made with high quality fabrics, her clean lines and elegantly understated garments brought her and the Prada name fame and recognition. In 1993 she received the International Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and in 1995 she won the prestigious Designer of the Year award.
In 1992, Muiccia introduced her Mui Mui collection, aimed at a younger audience and priced a little lower than the base Prada line. Consisting mostly of earthy colors and a much less haute couture look, the line evoked a more bohemian style and a much more casual feel than the clean lines of the main Prada house. Prada Sport, a casual and elegant sportswear line, intended for a similar market as Mui Mui, followed this.
