I feel like a lot of the Prada-isms we think of are more the results and reactions to the collections rather than the starting point. Like, I'm sure Miuccia and her collaborators were aware of and intentionally exploited certain faux pas, but I feel like a lot of that came after earnest explorations with form, cut, and color.
I struggle with Raf's co-tenure because he seems very intent on creating an effect based on mixing references rather than exploring an idea or way of dressing. The results, which aren't always bad, feel either stiff or too concept driven. Even when early Prada collections were odd or a bit off, there was always a polish and cleanliness to it, despite the wrinkles, frayed edges, etc.
I also feel like during the last few years, even before Raf joined, the intellectual branding wasn't quite landing because it started to result in conservative, quiet, dressing. What was so lovely about early aughts collections was there was always something sensual and womanly about the clothes. I credit a lot of this to the casting where you would get edgy models like Karen Elson next to Gisele — both of whom could walk well and felt like they were really wearing the clothes as opposed to the clothes wearing them (hate that phrasing btw). In the current iteration, most of the models seem like they're struggling in the clothes or shoes and it's a bit hard to watch (no fault to the new models though).