Leave it to Miuccia Prada, a lover of underground references and eccentric pairings, to join creative forces with 92-year-old artist Robert McGinnis, the enigmatic figure behind some of film’s most iconic posters, on Prada’s fall/winter 2017 Ready-to-Wear collection – and the artist’s first ever fashion collaboration.
McGinnis, culturally identified by his commanding illustrations of strong female characters that have graced the film posters and covers he’s produced over the decades, is responsible for the ladies gang eponymously termed “The McGinnis Girls.” While history may interpret these characters as provocative or overtly sexual, it’s just the opposite; McGinnis made waves through his work by portraying women as the real forces behind film, visually juxtaposing feminine figures as superior to any leading male.
McGinnis’s ubiquitous influence on Prada’s fall 2017 collection was felt everywhere from the show’s fabricated environment to the garments walking the season’s runway. Faux movie posters were plastered on the set’s surrounding walls, while covers of 1960’s pulp-fiction novels with names like “A Taste for Violence” and “Marked for Murder,” which originally featured McGinnis’s illustrations, were reimagined as prints, giving his “McGinnis Girls” new life as femme fatale fashion symbols. Babydoll dresses, sleeveless tops, and ostrich feather-trimmed skirts served as vehicles for his timeless illustrations, styled with Prada’s perfection and ease.
The collection read as a celebration of womanhood, it’s inspiration spanning the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. Crochet bralettes, with not an underwire in sight, felt like a nod to early female liberation. Patchwork coats, angora skirts, and glitzy embroidery followed suit. Seashell necklaces, and furry shoes fastened with large buttons added to the arts and crafts elements seen throughout the show, while oversized tweed coats and tromp l’oeil messenger bags left us yearning for the late 60’s and early 70’s.
![Prada fw 2017 muse board](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3RN2yWNFh6USeoaOG0YsUC/c54335f871f8cf87a21194a18e24df0a/Prada_FW_2017_Muse_Board.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
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Claude Viallat
Untitled no. 26, 1980
![Claude viallat untitled no. 26 1980](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/OHQfcGfQMEO4wC0WWM2yc/84f7357da2bda0f9796a8069c7e4699f/Claude_Viallat__Untitled_no._26__1980.jpg)
André Sornay
Paire de chevets, 1960
![Andre sornay paire de chevets 1960](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1qgSWVD7Q0k6Mi0W2QmsWs/cb30d6a3dd5b7d94be8077adc664f640/Andre___Sornay__Paire_de_chevets__1960.jpg)
Richard Avedon
Harper's Bazaar, September 1965
![Richard avedon harper s bazaar september 1965](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/24sp14yGVCmS6Seq4qCQGA/34f21898c04a125925bf878f77e4c3c5/Richard_Avedon__Harper_s_Bazaar__September_1965.jpg)
Michelangelo Pistoletto
Amanti (Lovers), 1962
![Michelangelo pistoletto amanti lovers 1962](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6PjSVUdXLUOkoWsOUQ844E/4c524f3102e6fc53ad6db59907d6166e/Michelangelo_Pistoletto__Amanti__Lovers___1962.jpg)
Jack Troy
Ceramics
![Jack troy ceramics](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5Jrcc5DB5u0gym228i4e6U/98796f9cc13206bd2c460543b60266d2/Jack_Troy_Ceramics.jpg)
Frank Lloyd Wright
Taliesin 2 Floor Lamp
![Frank lloyd wright taliesin 2 floor lamp](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/BiPtnUXcBiGACEqy4yMwq/b69721a2fcd55d3a60d7dfe089955f30/Frank_Lloyd_Wright__Taliesin_2_Floor_Lamp.jpg)
Arakawa Toyozo
Hyobai, Ice Plum Blossoms, 1970
![Arakawa toyozo hyobai ice plum blossoms 1970](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/237SdVzleIWU4ua2q2eIoS/25fefb273bef76c97bcce8d0785f5ccd/Arakawa_Toyozo__Hyobai__Ice_Plum_Blossoms__1970.jpg)
Carol Rama
Passionate, 1939
![Carol rama passionate 1939](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6HkmNPKCRyqMAw8cAIiKS6/69c4bc4fbcddf10ae425e56c0aa9a4a4/Carol_Rama__Passionate__1939.jpeg)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Chair, 1919
![Charles rennie mackintosh chair 1919](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1QDwFWSO1quQsWYuok6AEc/fe9b8e028c2b297981bdd212d983f917/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh__Chair__1919.jpg)
Flower Vase with Ears
Cypress Hedge design, Momoyama Period, Japan
![Flower vase with ears cypress hedge design momoyama period japan](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4sjtZSTtRuywkQyAQUuASQ/1ff71d5a352c823671ce3ba72f37ae18/Flower_Vase_with_Ears__Cypress_Hedge_design__Momoyama_Period__Japan.jpg)
Lucien Levy-Dhurmer
La Fileuse, 1902
![Lucien levy dhurmer la fileuse 1902](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6MxW9ZHH7UqeymCIqQw2ow/6c7e0bdfeea1dea4ef41ed6fc35c6d6a/Lucien_Levy-Dhurmer__La_Fileuse__1902.jpg)
Mario Ceroli
Profili
![Mario ceroli profili](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/64V3FQXRBK8eEmwE0U4eqw/754f64c66b02280b56b3b110194ccfa7/Mario_Ceroli__Profili.jpg)
Mel Ramos
Chic from 11 Pop Artists, Volume I, 1966
![Mel ramos chic from 11 pop artists volume i 1966](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Dv8PdnPlksikecMQ0UAqg/30a6eee0554736e0a45a56bc7d3fcb8e/Mel_Ramos__Chic_from_11_Pop_Artists__Volume_I__1966.jpg)
Robert Mallet-Stevens
Wood and Leather Chair, 1930
![Robert mallet stevens wood and leather chair 1930](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/52UWbSJAAUEKkwEscMwYOw/4ca3b9040c7a4ccef8c5e7438a2b0c0c/Robert_Mallet-Stevens__Wood_and_Leather_Chair__1930.jpg)
Shimizu Uichi Pottery
Japan
![Shimizu uichi pottery japan](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6k53Fy1D8WW2q4k8kayYy6/f3c7869a26a6a7de1f429dd7dcc1c9e3/Shimizu_Uichi_Pottery__Japan.jpg)
Sigmar Polke
Dscjungel (Jungle), 1967
![Sigmar polke dscjungel jungle 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4QngXLyEa4wew0ou6MqYMg/471317fefa5d0199388c02abdb8d6271/Sigmar_Polke_Dscjungel__Jungle___1967.jpg)
Taliesin apprentices assemble the roof of the Music Pavilion
Completed in the late 1950s
![Taliesin apprentices assemble the roof of the music pavilion which was completed in the late 1950s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/MqRq2RmZOgAIEMMaqoO6Y/afee3c4ad371541249fe97272d09ff06/Taliesin_apprentices_assemble_the_roof_of_the_Music_Pavilion__which_was_completed_in_the_late_1950s.jpg)
Vogue US
November 1962
![Vogue us november 1962](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/W5R8F4hvqwwuaOSCGq8ug/f375e93dd024c76150b25f39a3552e40/Vogue_US__November_1962.jpg)
Wendell Castle
Chest of Drawers
![Wendell castle chest of drawers](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/uNvFrNxuAC8u6OOI26k0Y/545c11e34cb9ae92b52f49278aeaa1e4/Wendell_Castle__Chest_of_Drawers.jpg)
References
![Claude viallat untitled no. 26 1980](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/OHQfcGfQMEO4wC0WWM2yc/84f7357da2bda0f9796a8069c7e4699f/Claude_Viallat__Untitled_no._26__1980.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Claude Viallat
Untitled no. 26, 1980
1 of 20
![Andre sornay paire de chevets 1960](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1qgSWVD7Q0k6Mi0W2QmsWs/cb30d6a3dd5b7d94be8077adc664f640/Andre___Sornay__Paire_de_chevets__1960.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
André Sornay
Paire de chevets, 1960
2 of 20
![Richard avedon harper s bazaar september 1965](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/24sp14yGVCmS6Seq4qCQGA/34f21898c04a125925bf878f77e4c3c5/Richard_Avedon__Harper_s_Bazaar__September_1965.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Richard Avedon
Harper's Bazaar, September 1965
3 of 20
![Michelangelo pistoletto amanti lovers 1962](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6PjSVUdXLUOkoWsOUQ844E/4c524f3102e6fc53ad6db59907d6166e/Michelangelo_Pistoletto__Amanti__Lovers___1962.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Michelangelo Pistoletto
Amanti (Lovers), 1962
4 of 20
![Jack troy ceramics](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5Jrcc5DB5u0gym228i4e6U/98796f9cc13206bd2c460543b60266d2/Jack_Troy_Ceramics.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jack Troy
Ceramics
5 of 20
![Frank lloyd wright taliesin 2 floor lamp](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/BiPtnUXcBiGACEqy4yMwq/b69721a2fcd55d3a60d7dfe089955f30/Frank_Lloyd_Wright__Taliesin_2_Floor_Lamp.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Frank Lloyd Wright
Taliesin 2 Floor Lamp
7 of 20
![Arakawa toyozo hyobai ice plum blossoms 1970](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/237SdVzleIWU4ua2q2eIoS/25fefb273bef76c97bcce8d0785f5ccd/Arakawa_Toyozo__Hyobai__Ice_Plum_Blossoms__1970.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Arakawa Toyozo
Hyobai, Ice Plum Blossoms, 1970
8 of 20
![Carol rama passionate 1939](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6HkmNPKCRyqMAw8cAIiKS6/69c4bc4fbcddf10ae425e56c0aa9a4a4/Carol_Rama__Passionate__1939.jpeg?w=1000&q=70)
Carol Rama
Passionate, 1939
9 of 20
![Charles rennie mackintosh chair 1919](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1QDwFWSO1quQsWYuok6AEc/fe9b8e028c2b297981bdd212d983f917/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh__Chair__1919.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Chair, 1919
10 of 20
![Flower vase with ears cypress hedge design momoyama period japan](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4sjtZSTtRuywkQyAQUuASQ/1ff71d5a352c823671ce3ba72f37ae18/Flower_Vase_with_Ears__Cypress_Hedge_design__Momoyama_Period__Japan.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Flower Vase with Ears
Cypress Hedge design, Momoyama Period, Japan
11 of 20
![Lucien levy dhurmer la fileuse 1902](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6MxW9ZHH7UqeymCIqQw2ow/6c7e0bdfeea1dea4ef41ed6fc35c6d6a/Lucien_Levy-Dhurmer__La_Fileuse__1902.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Lucien Levy-Dhurmer
La Fileuse, 1902
12 of 20
![Mario ceroli profili](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/64V3FQXRBK8eEmwE0U4eqw/754f64c66b02280b56b3b110194ccfa7/Mario_Ceroli__Profili.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Mario Ceroli
Profili
13 of 20
![Mel ramos chic from 11 pop artists volume i 1966](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Dv8PdnPlksikecMQ0UAqg/30a6eee0554736e0a45a56bc7d3fcb8e/Mel_Ramos__Chic_from_11_Pop_Artists__Volume_I__1966.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Mel Ramos
Chic from 11 Pop Artists, Volume I, 1966
14 of 20
![Robert mallet stevens wood and leather chair 1930](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/52UWbSJAAUEKkwEscMwYOw/4ca3b9040c7a4ccef8c5e7438a2b0c0c/Robert_Mallet-Stevens__Wood_and_Leather_Chair__1930.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Robert Mallet-Stevens
Wood and Leather Chair, 1930
15 of 20
![Shimizu uichi pottery japan](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6k53Fy1D8WW2q4k8kayYy6/f3c7869a26a6a7de1f429dd7dcc1c9e3/Shimizu_Uichi_Pottery__Japan.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Shimizu Uichi Pottery
Japan
16 of 20
![Sigmar polke dscjungel jungle 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4QngXLyEa4wew0ou6MqYMg/471317fefa5d0199388c02abdb8d6271/Sigmar_Polke_Dscjungel__Jungle___1967.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Sigmar Polke
Dscjungel (Jungle), 1967
17 of 20
![Taliesin apprentices assemble the roof of the music pavilion which was completed in the late 1950s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/MqRq2RmZOgAIEMMaqoO6Y/afee3c4ad371541249fe97272d09ff06/Taliesin_apprentices_assemble_the_roof_of_the_Music_Pavilion__which_was_completed_in_the_late_1950s.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Taliesin apprentices assemble the roof of the Music Pavilion
Completed in the late 1950s
18 of 20
![Vogue us november 1962](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/W5R8F4hvqwwuaOSCGq8ug/f375e93dd024c76150b25f39a3552e40/Vogue_US__November_1962.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Vogue US
November 1962
19 of 20
![Wendell castle chest of drawers](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/uNvFrNxuAC8u6OOI26k0Y/545c11e34cb9ae92b52f49278aeaa1e4/Wendell_Castle__Chest_of_Drawers.jpg?w=1000&q=70)