The Galleria Bag, A Prada Classic From The Y2K Years, Gets A Hit Of Colour
Launched 16 years ago, the Galleria by Prada is an O.G. of the quiet luxury movement that is trending today. Flash forward to this month and the line introduces updates that are drenched in vivid colours while still retaining its restrained elegance.
Since its 2007 debut, the Prada Galleria has established itself as the epitome of luxury that lasts: a structured tote-style bag that’s stuck by the hallmarks of its original design while surprising (and delighting) with the numerous facelifts to its exterior. Its moniker alone hints at its intended longevity: It’s named after Prada’s first-ever boutique that opened at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan in 1913, when it specialised in luxury objects and travel goods, and was an official supplier to the Italian royal family.
A big part of what has helped the Prada Galleria bag to endure time and trends is its craftsmanship. It’s typically made with the brand’s signature Saffiano leather, which has been patented by Mario Prada (aka Miuccia Prada’s granddad, who founded the label 110 years ago). This robust material is the result of hot-pressing and overprinting calfskin with a cross-hatched pattern, making it hardy to water and scratches. Its edges are also smoothened and painted by hand.
Colour-blocking is the key design element of the Special Edition release of the Galleria bag this season. Credit: Prada.com
In fact, every single Galleria is composed of 83 different hand-finished pieces that are assembled together by expert artisans. This includes the brand’s emblematic triangle logo – rendered on the Galleria in enamelled metal – that brings us to another reason why the bag has always looked chic. Inspired by the frame-shaped bags of the ’40s, its boxy silhouette is kept simple; its lines clean and pared back (the aforementioned metal logo is the only decorative element). Besides an elegance of universal appeal, what this all means is that it’s the perfect canvas for reinvention in terms of colour, finish and size.
Each of the 83 components assembled for the Galleria bag is hand-finished by an artisan.
This year, the Galleria comes in cool neutrals and Hockney-esque pop colours (think a peachy orange or sunny yellow) in medium and mini. In addition, there are eight Special Edition styles dubbed Graphic Gallerias: Each one features geometric patterns – plain squares, ovals and triangles in contrasting shades all artfully arranged. They come packaged with an exclusive fabric dust bag, box and paper bag in complementary block hues.
To capture the Galleria’s sophisticated vibrancy this time, Prada has roped in the Venezuelan-American multidisciplinary artist Alex Da Corte – known for his works that draw from pop culture and Surrealism, and sport the same upbeat play with colours – for his first commission from a fashion house. His subject: the chameleonic Scarlett Johansson lensed against an equally fun set that echoes the motifs and colours of the Special Edition Gallerias, and styled to represent different personalities as a nod to the bag’s versatility.
For further proof of how the Prada Galleria is a contemporary classic that vibes no matter one’s aesthetic or mood, scroll on to see some of Singapore’s top fashion personalities putting their own spin on how to wear it.