Prada's Milan 'superheros' are nod to brand's eclectic past

MILAN, Italy — Prada presented an eclectic "superhero" collection for Milan Fashion Week Thursday heavy on S&M steel rings and mirrored metallics — with ribbed leggings and bodysuits imparting a cosy, grungy touch.

The Spring/Summer 2025 women's catwalk show from artistic director team Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons came as Prada enjoys outlier status in the luxury industry, having posted strong growth in the first half of the year even as its rivals see their sales slump.

The Italian brand's collection presented Thursday was an eclectic fashion romp down memory lane, teasing 1990's grunge looks with sadomasochism paraphernalia, a rainbow of colored leggings, and even a nod to the space age mirrored looks of 1960s French designer Andre Courreges.

"There is a plurality of Prada, elements from different eras coexisting simultaneously to challenge any theory of chronology, creating impossible contradictions, points of difference," said the brand in its show notes, citing "the notion of the superhero" as "the centrality of the individual."

Backstage, the designers broke it down, explaining they wanted to explore all ofPrada's past references, mixing up "the past, the present, the cool, the sexy, the serious..."

There were leather belts with thick steel rings that held up, garter style, low-slung pleated skirts — paired with barely-there bandeau tops — while the same steel hardware adorned a black shift dress, clinking as the model sauntered down the runway.

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An oversized black sweater dress was adorned with long beige fringe at the knee and bold stripes at the chest, while a black transparent dress with exaggerated ruffled sleeves covered a green bodysuit worn with witchy black pumps.

Among its most daring looks was a lightweight black dress covered in feathers jutting out from the body, paired with a neon orange anorak.

But Prada showcased its refined side as well with a stunning buttercup coat dress with a shawl collar and three-quarter sleeves worn over an electric violet ribbed bodysuit, or a 60's-inspired simple black dress with ivory bands at the waist and short sleeves.

The '60s