In the world of fashion, Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada are perpetual scholars, always looking back to inform their present creations. Their Women’s FW24 collection, as articulated in the show notes, illustrates how the past molds the contemporary. This concept, while seemingly benign, tiptoes through the precarious terrain of modern fashion discourse, where paying homage can be misconstrued as appropriation, especially in the social media realm.
Take, for instance, the biker jackets: snugly fitted to the models, they transcend their subcultural origins, seamlessly merging with Miuccia’s deconstructed office skirts while evoking images of Brando in The Wild One, a film that unwittingly propelled biker fashion into popular culture.
The show notes delve deeper, suggesting that an understanding of history not only informs but defines the present. What distinguishes this Prada collection is its ability to convey this narrative without relying on supplementary explanations. A single glance at the runway unveils a tapestry woven with Victorian bows, wallpaper-esque motifs, 70s knits, and gorpcore attire, each nodding to bygone eras.
The collection, in essence, poses inquiries and beckons responses. Why do certain styles endure while others fade into oblivion? Why the resurgence of bows? What fate befell mink stoles? Raf and Miuccia implore us not merely to admire but to interrogate, positioning themselves as pioneers in fostering critical engagement within the fashion sphere.
