Did you know Prada as a brand is about to celebrate it’s 100th anniversary? Well, I guess it’s not right around the corner, but the brand was started by Mario Prada in 1913. The small operation sold Prada Handbags, Prada Shoes, Prada Trunks and Prada Suitcases out of two stores in Milan.
There was a time early on where Prada focused mostly on producing waterproof handbags for travel use made out of walrus skin. However, walrus skin was extremely heavy. The company continue to develop within it’s core industry for the next several decades. Financially the company was not doing well with competition that popped up including Gucci over the years. It wasn’t until 1978, when Mario’s granddaughter Miuccia Prada (Ever wonder where the brand Miu Miu came from?), took over the company, the company started to become the Prada we know today.
Miuccia introduced nylon to the Prada line in 1985. It became an overnight hit due to the light weight, functional yes very luxurious. Due to the rise in popularity and price, the first large scale copies of Prada fakes started appearing around this time.
Throughout the 1990′s Prada continued to be a force in designer luxury brands. in 1992 Prada released Miu Miu, a like of more affordable items aimed at the younger crowd. Today, Miuccia is considered one of the most powerful women in Europe and credited with making Prada what it is today.
To see a sample of Miuccia’s works of beauty, see here:
http://www.edesignershop.net/Prada_Handbags_Wallets_Keychains_s/12.htm
