Though it started as a leather goods shop in 1913 by brothers Martino and Mario Prada, Mario's great granddaughter Miuccia Prada would transform the company into the design powerhouse it is today.
by Hannah Weil
Though it started as a leather goods shop in 1913 by brothers Martino and Mario Prada, Mario's great granddaughter Miuccia Prada would transform the company into the design powerhouse it is today. First would be her line of waterproof backpacks and totes in 1979 that would go on to inspire the release of Prada's definitive nylon totes and handbags in 1984. In 1989, Miuccia and her partner, Patrizio Bertelli, launched Prada's first ready-to-wear line, instantly gaining recognition for its clean lines and luxe fabrics, and rocketing the Prada label to a coveted status symbol. Now with Miuccia at the helm for more than 30 years, Prada's ready to wear has been shaped by artful, whimsical talent that takes us from ladylike, curve-conscious dressing one season to dramatic textures and boxy shapes the next. Its fan base and influence knows no bounds — and it's not hard to see why the label has remained a fashion mainstay and a design house heavy hitter. Click through for a look back at some of the brand's most memorable runway looks.