Prada almost has a hundred-year
history. Established in Milan in 1913 by Mario Prada, Fratelli Prada
catered luxury leather goods to the rich and influential. Miuccia Prada,
Mario's granddaugther, inherited the business in 1978.
Although she did not have any
formal training in design (her education include a PhD in Political
Science) Miuccia Prada's growing up years meant exposure to fine quality
craftsmanship. So, when she took over, it was like a duck going to water.
Together with her husband and business partner Patrizio Bertelli, they
brought Prada to new heights, expanding the leather goods products to
include ready-to-wear and accessories. They also expanded their holdings
which include sizable stocks at Gucci and Jil Sander. Recently, Miuccia
Prada was voted by The Wall Street Journal as one of the 30 Most Powerful
Women in Europe.
Business acumen and cutting
edge, Miuccia Prada continue to present Prada as a luxury good, following
the footsteps of her grandfather. Her genius lies in choosing and mixing
fabrics for both clothing and accessories, and putting them together
as one piece.
"In the end, fabric is fabric.
What is really new is the way you treat it and put the pieces together."
-- Miuccia Prada
