Prada
handbags epitomize style and luxury in the designer handbag industry.
In existence for almost a century, The House of Prada is a world-wide
pioneer in simple, elegant, high-fashion handbags and purses.
In 1913 the Prada label was founded by Mario Prada. Prada began
by selling shoes, leather handbags, and trunks, and in a short
time received widespread recognition with success in Europe and
the US, and later opened two boutiques in Milan.
The
early, signature Prada suitcase was made from a heavy walrus skin,
which was not well suited for air travel, so Prada began to concentrate
on fine leather handbags and accessories, incorporating new materials
such as crystal, tortoise shell, and wood. Waterproof garments
were also sold in US markets. With all of Prada's successes, the
company nonetheless began to decline in the 1970s, but a new age
in history of Prada was on the horizon.
Mario
Prada's granddaughter, Miuccia Prada, took over the Prada company
in 1978. Miuccia had spent five years studying at Teatro Piccolo
in Milan, and earned a PhD in political science. Even with this
unlikely background, Miuccia had an innate ability to recognize
good fashion and she became the steering force in Prada's emergence
into the world of haute couture. She began with luxury tote bags
and backpacks made from sleek black nylon material. Around this
same time Miuccia married Patrizio Bertelli, who assumed the position
of business manager, which enabled Miuccia to focus on design
and the perfection of the new Prada look and image. It was her
black nylon "Pocone" material handbag that in 1985 became an overnight
sensation and launched the new Prada into the spotlight. Although
is was well-made and practical, it was also high fashion and came
with the high fashion price tag. This launched a whole industry
of fashion replicas, which fueled the desire to own an authentic
Prada handbag.
Prada
is the first name in fashion handbags and has become a worldwide
empire. Prada has stores in almost every country in the western
world and Prada gets plenty of free advertising from the many
celebrities who carry Prada handbags. The Prada look has certainly
evolved and diversified over the years, and Miuccia gets the credit
for steering Prada in the right direction and maintained the highest
quality. The Wall Street Journal has named Miuccia one of the
thirty most powerful women in Europe.
Official
Site: www.prada.com
Other
Brands:
Louis
Vuitton · Versace
· Marc
Jacobs · Fendi
· Christian
Dior · Gucci
· Dooney
& Bourke
· Juicy
Couture · Coach
· Prada· Emilio
Pucci ·Paul Smith · Tod's
