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several models in pastel suits from prada fall 2015 fashion runway style the young eclectic
Runway

Candy Colored Retro Futurism in Prada Fall 2015- A Collection I Will Never Forget

Am I aware that it’s 2019? Yes, painfully so. Trust me when I say that writing about a collection from four years ago was not on my agenda tonight. I was preparing to do a write-up on the Prada Resort 2020 collection when memories of the Prada Fall 2015 collection came crashing to the surface of my mind, causing me to seek it out again and relive the joy of discovering this gem.

A sweet matching shirt and pants set featuring sleek, modern materials and classic, ’60s silhouettes. (Photo:
Monica Feudi / FeudiGuaineri.com via Vogue.com)

When I saw the debut of this collection, I was in awe of how fresh and innovative it felt. The smooth, plushness of the jersey knits; the the blown-up print that resembles chromosomes; the sweet, yet cold pastels that defied the normally-morose color code of winter; the cheeky bits of fur; the classic tweed; those sneakers that looked like leather socks; those gloves that extended up into the sleeves of the dresses. Every detail just built on the next to create a look that I had never seen before. Even now, looking back on it, I’m amazed and delighted anew by what this collection accomplished.

Playful in its concept and execution, this poppy collection dared to ask the question of whether or not artificial beauty (created through genetic modification and surgeries) is less authentic than natural beauty by combining natural elements like ostrich with less-than-natural elements, like the blown-up, science-y print comprised of an image of genetically-modified ostrich.

But the innovative clashing of concepts didn’t stop with natural vs. artificial- The modern materials, acid-toned colors, and lab-like atmosphere also abutted the classic and preppy, ’60s silhouettes and timeless tweed, creating a retro-futurism vibe that I can’t get enough of. All of the long-limbed girls on this runway could have been alien replicas of humans, or a robotic army of perfect women from some dystopian future- the narrative possibilities of this collection were nearly endless, which is why it has managed to stick with me through the years.

I remember carefully pulling the ads for the collection out of my well-worn copies of Vogue and hanging them on my dorm room wall so that I could stare at them when I was trying to sleep, or procrastinating on my homework. Sometimes I think it’s strange how our minds choose what to hold onto and what to cast out, as time renders things useless or no longer relevant, but I’m glad my neurons decided to keep this collection nestled inside me, and something tells me that this collection will always be one of my all-time favorites.

Check out some of the best looks from the collection below:

Cover photo shot by Steven Meisel/Prada. All other photos by Monica Feudi / FeudiGuaineri.com via Vogue.com.

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prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
Runway

Of Monsters and Menswear with Prada Fall 2019

Prada’s latest show, a Fall 2019 collection which combined men’s and women’s wear, was meant to be- above all- romantic. And while one usually pictures light shades and floaty silhouettes at the mention of romance, this collection presented us with a pack of alienated monsters decked out in dark, structural looks with bondage-like wrap belts, strong shoulders, and hardware-inspired heart necklaces. And while some looks featured a cute and kitschy heart safety-pinned to the chests of our walking monsters, the show hardly referenced styles that most would consider “romantic.” But the true romance came from within, in the understanding of the deeper, more complex aspects of the human emotion.

prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
This sweater was apparently woven by old women in the remote mountains of Italy- how romantic! (Photo: Vogue.com)

These monsters really represented men and women struggling to carve a space for themselves in a world that often feels like a monstrous mess- this tougher side of reality was realized in the strong military inspiration, which included structured jackets, heavy shoes and utility pockets galore. The somber coloring of the main pieces of the show also nodded to the solemnity of the modern political climate, while also making for some highly practical work wear looks.

And while the collection did nod to the darker emotions in the human repertoire, it was also surprisingly whimsical, playing up the Frankenstein inspiration with vibrant prints that featured florals, dismembered hands and Frankenstein’s monster himself. Other playful details included fuzzy winter hats in various shades, matching fuzzy shoulders, thick-rimmed glasses, and comfy-looking sweaters worn on top of blazers for a refreshing look.

This collection definitely stood out with its unique inspiration and combined structured, serious, military garb with funky monster-ific details to fabulous effect. And with all of the different ways these looks were layered, it leaves a ton of room for Prada-lovers everywhere to create their own terribly terrific monsters with a ton of heart.

Check out my favorite looks from the show below:

  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein
  • prada menswear fall 2019 fashion style runway frankenstein

All photos from Vogue.com

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Fashion

Futuristic Fashions For Fall 2018

shows a neon look from the prada fall 2018 fashion show
There was a ton of neon and shimmering, plastic, fringe skirts at the Prada Fall/Winter 2018 show. Would you wear it? (Photo: Vogue.com)

With all of the Spring/Summer 2019 shows hitting the runway, I think we all tend to forget about the season we’re actually living through right now… Fall. It took me a while to even dredge up the Fall/Winter 2018 shows from the trenches of my memory, but I’ve browsed through a few shows and articles as a little refresher, so let’s get started! 

While one of the biggest trends for Fall was definitely rustic/pioneer-inspired western prints, chunky knits and patchwork, another prevailing trend was almost exactly the opposite. Designers brought their take on future fashions to life by using hard, plastic materials, neon colors, iridescent shimmer, all-over metallics and innovative silhouettes. While I generally disapprove of neon outside of workout wear, I think it pairs well with the “futuristic” aesthetic because it brings to mind neon lights, which are, for some reason, very prevalent in futuristic sci-fi films.

How could you wear this trend out in the wild? Well, that’s the fun of it! Wearing this trend means attracting attention to yourself and forgoing anonymity. It means letting your layers of plastic and beading and paillettes twinkle and tinkle as you walk. It means resembling an oil slick, or becoming something alien. I think that’s why I was so intrigued by this trend, because it is so unlike anything anyone would normally wear, so it inherently ignites the imagination and requires us to forgo our former selves once we slip it on. And, in my opinion, this is the very essence of fashion. 

Check out some of my favorite looks from this trend below:

  • iridescent futuristic jacket with patterned gloves from area fall 2018 fashion show
    Area Fall 2018
  • metallic jumpsuit futuristic from alberta ferretti fall 2018
    Alberta Ferretti Fall 2018
  • silver futuristic dress from balmain fall 2018
    Balmain Fall 2018
  • futuristic fashion trend from balmain fall 2018 mini dress iridescent
    Balmain Fall 2018
  • futuristic fashion trend from calvin klein fall 2018
    Calvin Klein Fall 2018
  • futuristic fashion trend from chalayan fall 2018
    Chalayan Fall 2018
  • futuristic fashion trend from maison margiela fall 2018
    Maison Margiela Fall 2018
  • futuristic fashion from paco rabanne fall 2018
    Paco Rabanne Fall 2018
  • futuristic fashion from sies marjan fall 2018
    Sies Marjan Fall 2018

All photos from Vogue.com

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Runway

Alien-esque, ’60s Schoolgirls Tromp Down the Runway at Prada Spring/Summer 2019

Prada is always one of the most anticipated shows of Milan Fashion Week, and hardly ever disappoints. This collection has, once again, captured the world’s attention, not only for its playful take on conservatism vs. rebellion, but for its out-of-this-world accessories. Every girl donned a retro-inspired, puffed up Alice band (something I have never seen before), while others made a statement against the small glasses trend with enormous sunglasses that immediately create the impression of large, alien eyes. In other words, the show wowed. 

The oversized sunglasses at the Prada Spring/Summer 2019 show mimicked the eyes of the classic image of the little green men aliens, and were also inspired by the pronounced lower lashes of the ’60s. (Photo: Vogue.com). 

Prada first knocked me off my feet with their Fall/Winter 2015 show, a pastel, retro-futuristic dreamworld that begged us to consider the difference between natural and artificial beauty. Prada has a flair for the dramatic, and turning tastes and conventions on their head, which is exactly what made this collection so exciting. It mixed schoolgirl, cutesy aesthetic (translucent, glittering knee-high socks paired with fetished-up Mary Janes, and flipping, tie-dye, pleated skirts evoked a young femininity) with a rougher, edgier sense of rebellion. Sensible button-ups had holes cut at the chest, and the once-sweet Alice bands became embellished with punky metal studs. A sweet, innocent makeup look- harsh cut bangs and extremely pronounced lashes- reminded me of a Twiggy mixed with Rosemary’s baby, and complemented the rougher, edgier vibes of the show surprisingly well.

All in all, the show was a success, with tons of wearable pieces that fashion-lovers will be scrambling to get their hands on when the time comes. Some of the most noteworthy pieces were their sheer dresses (worn over bloomers at the show), the mock-neck satin tops with a dainty neck bow, the strappy, satin A-line mini dresses and the ubiquitous knee-high socks complete with their iconic triangular logo. My greatest hope, though, is that I see more of these headbands and sunglasses out in the real world. We need everyday fashion that takes risks and challenges conventions, fashion that asks questions and demands attention. Fashion that makes us stop scrolling through our feed and look.

Check out some of my favorite looks from the show below:

All photos were found on Vogue.com

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