December 15, 2023 |
Sometimes there is an important moment in fashion, and this was one of them. Pradasphere II, unveiled in Shanghai last week revealed the sweetest nuggets of Prada archival history but also was perhaps a poignant moment documenting Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons working relationship.
Pradasphere II has been primarily curated by Raf Simons who spent some serious time at the extensive Prada archive in Tuscany. The result a richly layered exhibit the length of a former train shed in the Bund complete with train – naturally enough – as visitors exit-via the gift shop.
The centre piece of Pradasphere II is the central ‘infinite runway’ where one full look from the most important collections are displayed on mannequins. To either side of the runway are intimate and emblematic Prada spaces / experiential – devoted to the P-DNA including Fratelli Prada; Re-Nylon; Linea Rossa, and more – plus a darkly lush cinema showing the best films that have been commissioned by and made for Prada. The history is just so damn fine and nicely immersive and is perhaps most brilliantly captured in the ‘Materiality’ space where 20 full skirts, showcase the depth of the skilled Italian craftsmanship, all complex textures, embroideries, sequins, glass beads and pin sharp ideas spanning the past 30 years – here lies the essence of so many Prada hits, old friends.
Michael Rock is the creative ‘scenographer’ and visionary who is as intrinsic to Pradasphere now as he was in 2014 at Harrods in London where Pradasphere was born and then later in Hong Kong where it appeared as if a floating Prada shoebox. Opening the Shanghai iteration, he spoke of the intensely personal experience of being involved once more as Prada has been such an intrinsic part of his creative life. For anyone who lives and breathes fashion the Pradasphere II experience is confirmation that Miuccia Prada is the GOAT. Joining the few invited press in the Marchesi café at the end of the space Mrs. Prada, Raf Simons and Michael Rock reflected on the journey. It was telling. This moment was the past and the future.
Photography courtesy of Prada.
