Italian leather goods label Prada was founded by brothers Mario and Martino Prada in 1913 in Milan, and by 1919, the company was the official supplier to the Italian royal family.
In 1977, Mario's daughter, Miuccia Prada took over the family business and began to revive the label's accessories collections with new luggage, bags and shoes. She launched the now iconic black nylon backpack that would propel the brand to cult status in the 1990s and followed up with Prada's first womenswear collection, the creation of diffusion line Miu Miu and the launch men's ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.
Prada's covetable accessories (from satin cosmetics bags that were used as evening clutches to the Bowling Bag and the label's fur pieces) as well as its innovations in fabric and distinctive prints, have made Prada the go-to label for the fashion-conscious.
In 1997, Prada launched its sportier red line collection, followed by sunglasses, skincare, perfume and the Prada LG phone. The brand's collections continue to deliver covetable clothing and eye-catching accessories like electric-hued stripy furs, flatforms and retro-inspired flame shoes.
By Brogan Driscoll & Jen Barton