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Fashion Friday

Prada S/S21 Well, you knew this day was coming.  It’s time to review the most anticipated collection of the year: Prada S/S21.

Why was it the most anticipated?  This collection is the first Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada co-designed for the brand.  In the history of Prada’s legacy, no one outside of the Prada family has designed for the label.  So let’s dive into this collection that had everyone going out of their minds in anticipation.

Was I blown away?  No.

Did I enjoy it?  Very much.

Here’s the thing about highly anticipated shows – they almost never live up to the hype.  While there were elements I loved, I think this collection was average for a couple of reasons.

#1

Prada S/S21Prada S/S21

Prada has always been designed with the essence of the current time in mind.  Designing for who the Prada girl is right NOW.  Unlike a Tom Ford or Balmain who would give you glamour, sex and over the top drama in the midst of an apocalypse (nothing wrong with that), Prada is different.

Miuccia and Raf are both very thoughtful designers; I knew what would be presented would be more of a uniform.  In the Q&A the duo gave after the show (more on that in a moment), they specifically spoke to this point.

“We offer a base.”

It’s up to the Prada girl to interpret it as she pleases.

2#

Prada S/S21Prada S/S21

I’m not a spring/summer girl. My favorite collections in history are almost exclusively fall/winter.  As Raf said in the Q&A, “Coats, coats, coats!  Give me as much coats as possible.”  I’m with him.

I also think they knew this collection would be highly scrutinized and as their first collaborative show, they (smartly) chose to reign it in and begin with a fresh foundation.

The Q&A

The post-show Q&A was fabulous.  Anyone could submit a question (sadly mine was not chosen) and I loved that they focused on what it was like to work together.  (I totally thought they would only focus on the S/S21 collection.)

Miuccia and Raf are both soft spoken and getting a chance to hear what they have to say (neither does many interviews) was great.

They spoke about creating a uniform, what is the “Prada-ness,” and fun, energy changing questions like “what’s the first thing you drink in the morning?”  Raf = coffee.  Miuccia = hot water (mother’s orders).  I adored this insight.

The Clothes

Prada S/S21Prada S/S21

The strengths for me were the accessories.  I will 100% be getting the single razor edge earrings with the Prada logo.  I will also be getting a pair of the super pointy kitten heels in a pop color – I’m thinking either orange or lavender.

I loved the cocoon coats and the signature Miuccia pleated skirts with sumptuous knits (many with geometric holes for edge).

A lot of people didn’t like the massive triangular logos found at the neckline, but I did.  I also thought the color choices were so on point.  The deep pink and yellow were my jam.  The secret backpacks and fanny packs worked into coats and skirts were cool.  It gave me an element of functional kitsch I expect from Prada.

Did you see the runway show?  What about the Q&A?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Images via IMAXTREE

Fashion Friday

This past week was crazy, so today I bring you Fashion Friday… on a Sunday!  Check out my Fashion Friday IGTV here.

There are three topics I want to chat about today.  First…

Prada’s “The Show That Never Happened”

Prada SS21 Prada SS21Photos via Prada.com

Prada debuted their S/S21 collection in a “runway show” they dubbed The Show That Never Happened.  Five artists contributed their perspective of the collection each with their own unique bent.  This was a lot like watching the Instagram Stories of those normally seated in the front row, but elevated.  Susie Bubble and Chriselle Lim are two that always share a unique perspective on their Instas and I loved how Prada took this concept to the next level.

As Miuccia’s last solo collection before Raf Simons comes on board as Co-Creative Director, the collection was especially poignant.

You know I’m a Prada girl for life, and I adored it.  Miuccia said it was important for her to infuse the reflecting she’s done during quarantine with a bit of fun.  The result was quintessential fashion meets function.  Every single piece was super wearable and can be interchanged a million different ways to achieve different looks.

I loved the simple ballet flats and stirrup pants she paired with cocktail dresses.  It grounded them in a way that was cheeky and fun.  Tried and true Miuccia.

Of course I would wear 100% of the men’s looks as well.  Sleek tailoring juxtaposed in certain looks with long or oversizes proportions.

Need Supply and Totokaelo

If you’re not familiar with Need Supply and Totokaelo, now is the time to get acquainted.  They are sister boutiques with a robust online and brick-and-mortar presence.  Both offer a unique curation of designer brands.

Sadly, it has been announced that both will close up shop as a result of the coronavirus.

Need Supply has a great mix of advanced contemporary brands and luxury designers.  They also have 3 in-house lines at super affordable price points – NEED, Stelen and Farrow.

Totokaelo is super bad ass in that the major of what they carry is hard-to-find designer brands.  Founded by the super stylish Jill Wenger, the coolest of the cool take their styles notes from Totokaelo.

Both stores are currently having sales of up to 80% off.  Stay tuned tomorrow for my top sale picks from each.

Influencer Fashion Lines

This past week mega-influencer Arielle Charnas of Something Navy launched her first standalone fashion line.  She had previously collaborated with Nordstrom (a la Blaire Eadie) on a collection, but that partnership ended after Arielle’s snafu in the press after contracting COVID-19.

Her standalone line is offered solely on her website and sold out within a day.  The next drop will happen later this month and the frenzy surrounding it has me wondering…

Do you shop blogger fashion lines?

What’s unique about Arielle’s launch is the way she polled her followers.  Her original launch date was in March 2020, but due to the pandemic, it got pushed back.  In that time, Arielle regularly asked her follower’s opinions on fit, colorways and what else they wanted to see in the collection.  The result is a data-crunch of consumer opinions morphed into a clothing line.  Smart?  Yes.  A great revenue stream for Arielle?  Of course.

But I’m so curious about her long-term goals for the line.  Could she be like Victoria Beckham and transcend from celebrity to bona fide designer?  I doubt it.

Questions I’m pondering:

Does she wear these pieces herself (and not just for marketing photos)?  Who is driving the creativity – Arielle or her followers?  Finally, this begs the question, is she a designer or a marketing machine?

My point in covering this story is not to knock her hustle.  Clearly tons of effort goes into creating something like this.  But the fashion nerd in me wants to know… what’s the long term angle and who really buys this stuff?