Why do you like/hate Prada?

[Johnny]

I guess most people (and by that I don´t mean the devoted fashionista) buy it because it´s a widely-known, classy luxury goods company that you can indeed find almost everywhere - at least shoes and accessories. Those nylon wallets/handbags are rather discreet status symbols compared to Vuitton´s monograme, it doesn´t need much attitude to wear them, also please don´t forget that there´s such a big part of extremely conservative pieces throughout the accessories/footwear line, I mean the worst and most unfashionable dusty footwear store could still work with this collection but so could Colette with their quirky, robot-charm-Dadaism-embellished pieces. I think that´s their strength, to appeal to almost everybody.

This is the best and most accurate description of the Prada "appeal" so far, in my view. There's no doubt that it has many (most of its) fans who just want a luxury brand to buy into. But there are quirkier pieces and also some very beautiful ones that appeal to a higher sense of aesthetic than just bling bling. Some of its higher end pieces are very similar to the much lauded Lanvin, with grossgrain silk details, purples, chiffon applique, unfinished hems. I've no interest in black nylon jackets etc but some of these things are really nice.

And they didn't destroy Lang and Sander - Lang and Sander did by selling to them.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

i used to like it since it looks great on anyone from the trampy dressing lil kim to the conservative martha stewart to even the sexy beyonce btu that was before someone posted a thread about prada not using coloured models ont heir runway and campaigns. suddnly their clothes and campaigns have lost most of the appeal

 

[travis_nw8]

i admit i cringe when i see someone with a red stripe at the back of their trainers

 

[Andro]

i like the clothes made by prada and the sister brand miumiu, but i don't like how the prada company likes to buy out good designers (e.g. jil sander and helmut lang) and screws up their whole line.

as for prada's accessory line, i hate it.

I couldn't agree more. Prada in of itself, is a great fashion line. The clothing is very compatible with most people's taste. It appeals to a mass market audience without being too targeted. But as a business, it's really a dirty manipulative company.

For one thing, the sales people are extremely un-curteaous. I get a very cold and detached vibe browsing through the stores. Most of the time, the boutiques are empty of shoppers. You can feel the employees gazing eyes inspecting you're every move, almost intrusive. Watching for any signs of theft, the Security men guard the entrance.

As a label they are derivative. Much of Pradas' creations are based on 'ideas' from many designers that add up to a total look. Most notably from Jil Sander. A lot of people think that minimalism and high-tech fabric innovation is a trademark of Prada. In reality, it was Jil Sander who perfected the idea of luxury materials and minimal sportsware long before Prada established it's ready-to-wear line. Jil Sander, who started designing collections in 1967, has been implied in Pradas' collections throught the years. There is definetly a Sander influence in the clothing. Same but to a lesser extent is Helmut Lang. Other referenced designers include vintage Balenciaga, Courrges, Vionett, and Yves Saint Laurent. What would Prada be if those designers never exist?

 

[Lena]

dsq: i like the clothes made by prada and the sister brand miumiu, but i don't like how the prada company likes to buy out good designers (e.g. jil sander and helmut lang) and screws up their whole line.

as for prada's accessory line, i hate it.

even though i also agree with Johnny, Jil and Helmut are more responsible than the Prada Group for the fall of their labels, they shouldnt sell out..

Andro: Much of Pradas' creations are based on 'ideas' from many designers that add up to a total look. Most notably from Jil Sander. A lot of people think that minimalism and high-tech fabric innovation is a trademark of Prada. In reality, it was Jil Sander who perfected the idea of luxury materials and minimal sportsware long before Prada established it's ready-to-wear line. Jil Sander, who started designing collections in 1967, has been implied in Pradas' collections throught the years. There is definetly a Sander influence in the clothing. Same but to a lesser extent is Helmut Lang.

Originally Posted by tricotineacetat
I guess most people (and by that I don´t mean the devoted fashionista) buy it because it´s a widely-known, classy luxury goods company that you can indeed find almost everywhere - at least shoes and accessories. Those nylon wallets/handbags are rather discreet status symbols compared to Vuitton´s monograme, it doesn´t need much attitude to wear them, also please don´t forget that there´s such a big part of extremely conservative pieces throughout the accessories/footwear line, I mean the worst and most unfashionable dusty footwear store could still work with this collection but so could Colette with their quirky, robot-charm-Dadaism-embellished pieces. I think that´s their strength, to appeal to almost everybody.

you guys said it all..
confirming what spike posted, Prada has steady top influence on highstreet, for the last four seasons they seem to be the most copied brand (zara, h&m etc)

miucia's team does a good work.
her husband's manipulative strategies & their ego-tripping boutiques are where my problems with Prada begin..

finally, seeing Prada in comparison with other masslux labels i dare say they are doing a pretty good job, after all maybe they are the best out there

 

[mdankwah]

I agree with Acid with the comment on the Americas cup trainers, they are in fact the only thing from Prada I see people constantly wearing (black teenage boys). Even though I would say Prada is not neccesarily my style, they have done a good job in convincing people to buy their stuff. The only thing I own from Prada are these trainers

SS05

 

[Lena]

cool trainers

 

[plumage19]

maybe this thread should be renamed "Why Do You Hate Prada?"

Amen to that! People, if you dislike Prada start your own thread where you can hate Prada as much as you wish! I don't see the logic behind these distasteful comments you make. Prada happens to be a label I love and admire! And no, I cannot afford it but I can still love it! For the future, the best thing you can do to express your dislike for a brand is to not buy it! In full silence!!!

 

[Lena]

and what about us being 'in the middle' so to say plumage?
come on, lets discuss Prada right in this thread, this is quite an interesting exchange ..
think of how continuous praise would bore you -and everyone else- to unfashionably messy tears

 

[helena]

plumage surely a healthy discussion is always worth having so we can listen to each others pros & cons.

Of all the 'superbrands' prada is definately the one which I respect the most - there is an intelligence there & a dowdyness which always appeals to me. Does anyone remember the outfit worn by the Audrey Hepburn in the New York bookshop before she is disovered by Fred astaire? It was a sort of brown pinafore dress - that always reminds me of Prada. I will try to find a picture.....

 

[helena]

This is the dress

 

[whizkit]

i rather enjoy the fantastic epicentre shops they've been building. Those epicentre shops, i admit, are sometimes pretentious and contrived, but they really create good publicity for Prada and the architects who create them. And not to mention lots of excitement and anticipation for architecture geeks like me. They were the first to break away from the practice of setting up homogenous cookie cutter shops around the world (to a small extent since most prada shops still look the same.)


I used to like their stuff a lot, but i feel less for it nowadays. Miuccia really has a way of making something dowdy look so good. There have been hits but also misses, especially those hideous coloured patchwork leather shoes from this season. There are still pieces that are worth investing in.

I don't know why people are complaining that their nylon bags are overpriced. I'm sure they are of extremely good quality and are not anymore over priced than LVs and Guccis. I'm still a fan of their men' black nylon bags, of which many styles have been selling for years. I can't afford one but I really love to have one. It's great if you want to have a nice bag to use for a long time and not into chasing the next big thing.

As to prada not using coloured models, they have used asian models for runways and ad campaigns before. Does colur really matter so much anyway. Prada haters will find anything to pick on.

mdankwah, nice shoes. I'm waiting for the prada carshoes to go on sale at the end of the season.

 

[Pony]

I couldn't agree more. Prada in of itself, is a great fashion line. The clothing is very compatible with most people's taste. It appeals to a mass market audience without being too targeted. But as a business, it's really a dirty manipulative company.

For one thing, the sales people are extremely un-curteaous. I get a very cold and detached vibe browsing through the stores. Most of the time, the boutiques are empty of shoppers. You can feel the employees gazing eyes inspecting you're every move, almost intrusive. Watching for any signs of theft, the Security men guard the entrance.

As a label they are derivative. Much of Pradas' creations are based on 'ideas' from many designers that add up to a total look. Most notably from Jil Sander. A lot of people think that minimalism and high-tech fabric innovation is a trademark of Prada. In reality, it was Jil Sander who perfected the idea of luxury materials and minimal sportsware long before Prada established it's ready-to-wear line. Jil Sander, who started designing collections in 1967, has been implied in Pradas' collections throught the years. There is definetly a Sander influence in the clothing. Same but to a lesser extent is Helmut Lang. Other referenced designers include vintage Balenciaga, Courrges, Vionett, and Yves Saint Laurent. What would Prada be if those designers never exist?

Prada still has a very distinct style.I doubt that Prada is heavily Sander influenced, the signatures are very different.

 

[travis_nw8]

i totally agree with a previous post about the store staff being argubly the worst of any store. i've often found myself in an abandoned store wandering where the hell are they and leaving frustrated (carring several bags from stores where the service is better). if one must buy prada better to stick to harrods.

maybe a thread should be started on service- it's a little thing but i feel important.

 

[travis_nw8]

why do you HATE prada?

there is is 'why do you love prada ?' thread, so in the interests of balance a second thread is required ( well let's say love turned to hate in the other thread).

 

[Lena]

no need for a second Prada thread, i'll just edit the title of the existing topic travis ..

 

[EdK]

the sales associates on the mens floor at the store over here are pretty nice people. ive met two of them and they are both asian.

 

[Plastic'sWife]

I do not like Prada because I think its ugly.
Some shoes are so chunky and the colors clash.
I do own one pair and a small hobo purse.
I think that the bags are nice for the most part, but the clothes are not really my definition of pretty nor feminine.

 

[cosmocat]

^I think I like Prada because it is not pretty or feminine, neither it is obviously sexy or glamourous. This in itself is very unusual for a mainstream brand in my opinion. I enjoy how Miuccia explores different ideas, 'trends', in her collection though I appreciate that this may seem like a ploy to get her customers to buy a new skirt/shirt/dress every season. It may well be but don't most luxury brands do this? She challenges herself, using crochet just recently when she detests it and I think her collection go a little way in the fashion world to challenge the perception of women. I can imagine many different women wearing her clothes, young and old, from all walks of life where as I cannot imagine many women wearing most other designer clothes.

 

[Chloe-Babe]

I used to love Prada, the shoes, the smell of the leather bags, yum yum. But then a guy I knew purchased a Prada otter coat, it was disgusting, and we called him the Rotter in the Otter. I know most designers use fur, but I vowed never to buy anything else Prada, and I have not. I was in Milan in January, everywhere you look people are carrying their white prada carry bags, they are as common in Milan as a Tesco one!!

Give me Dolce or chloe over Prada any day!