Show Notes: Prada Fall/Winter 2024 Womenswear Collection
The Fall/Winter 2024 showing by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons was pervaded by a sombre mood
When: February 22, 2024
Where: The crowd had, as usual, gathered at Fondazione Prada in southern Milan. The scenography replicated the eerie atmosphere of the Prada menswear Fall/Winter 2024 show in January. Designed by AMO, the research arm of the Dutch architecture studio OMA, the glass runway was suspended over a forest floor with a meandering creek, creating a dystopian and surrealist ambiance.
The takeaway: The current state of the world has had a profound impact on Mrs. Prada and Raf Simons, as was evident in their latest collection. Their inspiration included the 2023 Jonathan Glazer film The Zone of Interest, which explored the disturbing reality of building a dream life near the Auschwitz concentration camp. This introspective mood led to their darkest collection since their 2020 collaboration, offering a stark counterpoint to traditional notions of dressing up in those turbulent times. In that dystopian context, the duo proposed clothing as armour, showcased through severe tailoring and prim silhouettes. However, the signature Prada twist remained intact. Silk bustles exploded from the back of dresses, skirts erupted in playful bows, and military-inspired officer hats adorned with feathers added a striking, unexpected finish.
The dystopic set design at Prada was created by the Dutch firm AMO.
The looks we're eyeing: Dresses adorned with dozens of bows (Looks 1 and 7); the oversized wool men's wear-inspired blazer (Look 30); the purple cardigan with self-covered buttons, and a knee-length skirt with an oversized hem (Look 34); and the distressed leather jacket with a military-style collar (Look 43).
The looks: