True to form, Miuccia Prada brought a contemporary spin to fashion classics for her namesake brand’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection. This time, said classics were of 1960’s, Mod origin – right on que for the retro trend’s moment of rebirth in early 2011. The relationship between fashion and Modernism is notably at work in Prada’s silhouettes, colors, patterns, and accessories, while her unique fabric and texture combinations introduce a bold, new element of glamour to 1960s-inspired designs.
First, Prada brought us oversized buttons, straight silhouette, just-above-the-knee hemlines, and thick, low-slung belts. After which, in a playfully girlish kind of fashion, these collared mid-length dresses were accessorized with knee-high boots resembling tall socks slung under a pair of Mary Janes and aviation-inspired helmets and glasses. While the latter may sound like a random addition, flight accessories marry perfectly with the show’s retro aesthetic given that when commercial air travel was popularized throughout the 1950s and 60s, it was seen as exceedingly glamorous and designers of the era began embracing flight-inspired trends for their modernist appeal and sleek sense of style.
Luxurious materials married with exotic skins and oversized accents came next – boots and bags made of snakeskin and leather, while thick fur wrapped cocoon jackets, low-slung belts and the aforementioned aviator helmets. As the show continues, these colorful, wirey material fur made its way atop dress bodices and along the sleeves and lining of jackets, suggesting as if they’re inside out. To finish, Miuccia transports viewers from land to the sea, instriducing dresses with large ovular sequins resembling fish scales.
In just 41 looks Miuccia Prada’s latest twist has come to complete fruition. With leather, fur, and sequins, the collection takes on a glamorous, edgy persona, and voilá, mod is made new again.

References
- 1
- 2
Gio Ponti and Nanda Vigo
Casa Meneguzzo in Malo, 1968

Guy Bourdain
Twiggy wearing Pierre Cardin Sunglasses in 'Looking for Laughs' Feature, 1967
Sonia Delaunay
Fabric Pattern, 1930

Roger Tallon
Pair of bracket lamp model “Micro” Enameled metal and red ABS Manufactured by ERCO, 1970s

Pierre Cardin
Mantra Unit, 1977

Coco Chanel
Modelling her own clothing and costume jewellery, 1928

Coat
1960s

John French
Celia Hammond and Patty Boyd in Two Capsule Line Feathered Helmets, 1960s

Roger Tallon
“Zombie” Chair, 1968

Joe Colombo
Elda Lounge Chair, 1967

Brisac Gonzalez Architects
Museum of World Culture, Sweden, 2004

Nanda Vigo
Conconi, 1971

Martial Raysse
High Voltage Painting, 1965

Mod Sunglasses
1965

Detroit Auto Show
Models wearing Saint Laurent-inspired ensembles, 1966

Piero Manzoni
Achrome, 1961

Sonia Delaunay
Driving caps, 1924-28

Sylvie Fleury
Cuddly Painting (Yellow), 1995

Twiggy
1960s

Woolite McCall’s
October 1968

References

Gio Ponti and Nanda Vigo
Casa Meneguzzo in Malo, 1968
1 of 20
Guy Bourdain
Twiggy wearing Pierre Cardin Sunglasses in 'Looking for Laughs' Feature, 1967
2 of 20

Sonia Delaunay
Fabric Pattern, 1930
3 of 20

Roger Tallon
Pair of bracket lamp model “Micro” Enameled metal and red ABS Manufactured by ERCO, 1970s
4 of 20

Pierre Cardin
Mantra Unit, 1977
5 of 20

Coco Chanel
Modelling her own clothing and costume jewellery, 1928
6 of 20

Coat
1960s
7 of 20

John French
Celia Hammond and Patty Boyd in Two Capsule Line Feathered Helmets, 1960s
8 of 20

Roger Tallon
“Zombie” Chair, 1968
9 of 20

Joe Colombo
Elda Lounge Chair, 1967
10 of 20

Brisac Gonzalez Architects
Museum of World Culture, Sweden, 2004
11 of 20

Nanda Vigo
Conconi, 1971
12 of 20

Martial Raysse
High Voltage Painting, 1965
13 of 20

Mod Sunglasses
1965
14 of 20

Detroit Auto Show
Models wearing Saint Laurent-inspired ensembles, 1966
15 of 20

Piero Manzoni
Achrome, 1961
16 of 20

Sonia Delaunay
Driving caps, 1924-28
17 of 20

Sylvie Fleury
Cuddly Painting (Yellow), 1995
18 of 20

Twiggy
1960s
19 of 20
