Prada Spring 2009 Collection Makes Its Mark
Prada Models Fall at Milan Fashion Week & Also Fuel Size-Zero Debate
Sep 25, 2008
Miucca Prada’s models certainly made their mark at Milan’s Fashion Week. Not only did Miucca’s designs turn the principle of this season’s luxe embellished fashion on its head, but her models kicked up a storm in more ways than one.
Two of her runway models tripped and fell on the catwalk in their towering snakeskin platform sandals: and a debate continues to range as to what is acceptably healthy in terms of “thin.”
Prada’s Spring 2009 collection of caveman-like outfits and primitive styling received a standing ovation, but not before two of the models fell over on their skyscraper heels. The models, wearing Prada’s signature-season snakeskin, lost their balance on the 6-inch skyscraper heels and had to be helped up by members of the audience. This was reminiscent of Naomi Campbell’s infamous tumble on Vivienne Westwood's catwalk in 1993.
The Danger of High Heels
The incident added fuel to the fire regarding the danger of high-heels. If career models and celebrities (with their taxi-shoes) find it hard to walk in these vertiginous heels, then lesser mortals don’t stand much of a chance, as they go about their daily routine. According to the Daily Mail, the problem was slippery socks, which caused Prada's runway models to lose grip.
The Size-Zero Debate
Whilst there is also currently criticism regarding alarmingly thin size-zero models, a picture of a young model appearing in the Daily Mail’s September 24 article “ It’s a Devil to Wear Prada — models topple off heels at show,” wearing a burgundy cropped top, fuelled the fire, as readers commented on her emaciated frame. Says one reader, Lia, from Massachusetts “No one is “naturally" that emaciated. Shame on Miuccia Prada and other designers like her for glorifying the concentration camp body image.” Another reader, sa, from Bristol added "The woman in the burgundy top .... is unwell. You should not be able to see a healthy person's rib cage."
The size-zero debate which erupted in the media this time last year (Sept 2007) continues to range amongst critics of the fashion industry, with celebrities such as Victoria Beckham taking a stance again anorexic-looking models. She believes that the size-zero culture of today gives the wrong message to young women, that fact that you need to be stick thin to squeeze into the tiny clothes, causing an almost permanent diet. According to Marie Claire, January 2008 “The fashion world blamed Hollywood; Hollywood blamed the stylists.” In the Daily Mail’s “Super-skinny legs are sick not sexy” of April 30, 2008, glossy magazines editors also come under fire for the excessive use of airbrushing.
Prada Spring Summer 2009 Collection
Prada’s ready-to-wear collection proved the antithesis of the current trend for everything luxe, jeweled and embellished. The outfits have a distinctly primitive and caveman-like appeal, with the absence of zippers and hooks in favor of ties and drawstrings and elasticated waists. The Mail quotes the designer as saying, “I wanted to go back to something primitive. I was searching for what counts, what really matters. I wanted to clean things up and make them simple.”
Cashmere jumpers were tied with strings like hospital gowns and shrunken jackets that only tied at the neck. Fabrics took on a crumpled look, taking on the appearance of crushed cotton, and snakeskin was a strong influence in the collection. There was also clever use of metal seams, which allowed jackets and pencil skirts to stand away from the body.
The overall collection received a postivie response from the fashion crtics. Style.com refered to Prada's use of drawstrings and primitave fastenings as "subversive sexual provocation...one pull of a trailing drawstring tale and whoops! "
Fashion Should Be Fun
Miucca Prada is known for her sense of swimming against the tide of fashion and experimenting with old concepts. For fall 2008 she instigated a new craze in lace, which is hitting high street stores right now. Despite her hallowed status in the fashion indusry she doesn't take herself too seriously. Says this iconic fashion designer, “I love fashion, but I think it should stay in its place, not rule your life. It’s a very nice part of your life, but I think it should be fun.”
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