The setting of Prada’s fall/winter 2018 runway show was quite literally a living, breathing ‘Pradasphere’ – riffing on the title of the Italian brand’s 2014 traveling exhibition and self-published book, by the same name. As show-goers were escorted up to the fourth floor of Rem Koolhaas’ latest, soon-to-be-open structure as part of the expanding Fondazione Prada, they were greeted by a dark abyss of railroad tracks, sprinkled with towering neon signs; a landscape of Prada filled with the brand’s fluorescent iconography. From bright bananas and monkeys, to flame heels and spiders, the surrounding imagery set a self-referential tone for the show to come, a continuation of themes seen in the brand’s pre-fall collection shown in Milan in January. The show opened with strong looks in black neon, a trademark material of the brand’s, and evolved into an exhilarating spectacle of iconic Prada emblems and textures; shaggy, fluorescent colored fringe, originally shown in black for fall/winter 2007, flame heels from spring/summer 2012, ID badges carried through from pre-fall 2018, and the return of Prada sport! There was texture mixing galore, industrial materials contrasted with delicately embroidered tulle, and heavy tweed bustiers atop feminine pleated dresses, representing a contrast between femininity and utilitarianism that has come to define the Prada woman over the past three decades. It seems for fall/winter 2018 Mrs. Prada had a glorious time digging into her own archive for inspiration, resulting in a feverishly modern collection of Prada staples reworked and remastered by the one and only Miuccia Prada.
![Prada fw 2018 muse board fv](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/tOcVX4DKDIe6I26wAEoy4/0f40b65bd565ac5bdff728f28889917c/Prada_FW_2018_Muse_Board_FV.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
- 1
- 2
Pierre Cardin
Sculptures Utilitaires, V-Desk
![Utilitarian sculptures by pierre cardin](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/JAEa7NZw86yS0CQ4IAmmO/33d5bfe59065953735c6d68cbb41a82f/Utilitarian_Sculptures_by_Pierre_Cardin.jpg)
The MUSAC Contemporary Art Museum of Castilla y León
Mansilla + Tuñón
![59f4a093ecc5678a1f25360bc79ee421](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4Whp9b9j3i202UwKym0mGg/5b7a43411fcd555e5857ccc3016b34ef/59f4a093ecc5678a1f25360bc79ee421.jpg)
Ashley Bickerton
Tormented Self Portrait Susie at Arles No.2, 1988
![Ashley bickerton tormented self portrait susie at arles no.2 1988](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4w2X60DuBG608M6UWy0EgW/1d9bbb9401f6bf3bb5ce144cbb54211f/Ashley_Bickerton__Tormented_Self_Portrait_Susie_at_Arles_No.2__1988.jpg)
Blair Thurman
Mask of the Special Red Death, 2009
![Blair thurman mask of the special red death 2009](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6z7jQpL5KgM6yUqGuYY6yU/b69907d5bdf5daf35fc40aab5228bf02/Blair_Thurman_Mask_of_the_Special_Red_Death__2009_.jpg)
Thomas Ruff
Substrat, 2002
![Thomas ruff zwirner 03](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3zGwsdxG7CcEMuCk4MCckM/3e341997e2ce652675373d92ba1a40c7/thomas_ruff_zwirner_03.jpg)
Herzog & de Meuron
Rail Switchtower, Basel, Switzerland, Built 1998-99
![Rail switchtower basel switzerland herzog de meuron](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/S8ifwJLT0cM4kMUA0ACss/da72f77d17b6cc11fd95768f240b2ebd/Rail_Switchtower__Basel__Switzerland__Herzog___de_Meuron.jpg)
Cindy Sherman
Untitled #70, 1980
![Cindy sherman untitled 70 1980 chromogenic color print](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5lsryTcx3iYAOEwKKoKY2e/b702388440192c8cc37d0d476e33648a/Cindy_Sherman_Untitled__70__1980_chromogenic_color_print.jpg)
Nylon Stockings
1960s
![nylonh stockings 1960s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/65AOYHjFIsSYqS2o6Ka60i/8751e942ac711d941d5147630f853e82/__Nylonh_Stockings_1960s.jpg)
Jack Goldstein
Film still from 'The Jump', 1978
![Jack goldstein the jump 1978 16mm film color silent 26 sec. courtesy galerie daniel buchholz berlin cologne and the](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/15pC5f6GxkQe0ogq0KSg60/8ea68a187a8c2fc255b7aebaf4fdab11/Jack_Goldstein__The_Jump__1978__16mm_film__color__silent__26_sec.__Courtesy_Galerie_Daniel_Buchholz__Berlin_Cologne_and_the_.jpg)
Arata Isozaki
Fuji Cabinet for Memphis, 1981
![Arata isozaki for memphis 1981](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5CkLwZ0TPUWcsSI2GQyEI8/941bad5b52a177642275b6489285d149/Arata_Isozaki__for_Memphis__1981.jpg)
Blair Thurman
Opfikon (Memo from Turner), 2010
![Blair thurman opfikon memo from turner 2010](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4XIJGr8cSQeuIEqKg8Y4ao/45c7a6bb866ffe47959fe7c7334ddd1b/Blair_Thurman__Opfikon__Memo_from_Turner__2010.jpg)
Thomas Ruff
Portrait (J. Renzel), 1988
![37ecb83e094f317fe90a8007d456027b](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5IXHGlUL7OigwIQmuewkkM/7f7e70a04780e4667632fe2aae7e7c99/37ecb83e094f317fe90a8007d456027b.jpg)
Thomas Ruff
Portrait (P. Lappat), 1987
![100087b](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4xGvxm96akAQcsCACioA8S/ebc7e30cf02edec29bf7ae8b5a2698ac/100087b.jpg)
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina
Sesann 2 1/2 Seat Sofa, 1970s
![Sesann 2 1 2 seat sofa by gianfranco frattini for cassina 1970s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2qfCgREgYUwqwcOquyS4we/fff1f3cee97bcc0daf2cddcccc10f25a/Sesann_2_1_2_Seat_sofa_by_Gianfranco_Frattini_for_Cassina__1970s.jpg)
Justin Adian
Work from Come and Take It
![Justin adian come and take it art gessato gblog 2](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6NIKtz4wkECSE8skWG0Qk8/058ee5984018361ac524a837c1a58da3/justin-adian-come-and-take-it-art-gessato-gblog-2.jpg)
Jack Goldstein
Film still from 'The Jump', 1978
![Film still from jack goldstein s the jump 1978](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/PHCAdEwb4WiWYGwmKQCOu/9171c66c9fac11b17e309217ce1db850/Film_still_from_Jack_Goldstein___s_The_Jump__1978.jpg)
Jack Goldstein
Untitled, 1986-1988
![Jack goldstein untitled ca. 1986 1988](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1FO7xHIxzKUecSyGyasE4e/dab18770a1bbfbc81e951722f4be28b1/Jack_Goldstein__Untitled__ca._1986-1988.jpg)
Kon Trubkovich
Untitled, 2010
![Kon trubkovich untitled 2010](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5PBEQUf7hYOgUcQuwGqO24/c7d4da7e200bcfacd051570f921779b9/Kon_Trubkovich__Untitled__2010.jpg)
Tullio D'Albisola
Miele Italiano Miele, 1930
References
![Utilitarian sculptures by pierre cardin](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/JAEa7NZw86yS0CQ4IAmmO/33d5bfe59065953735c6d68cbb41a82f/Utilitarian_Sculptures_by_Pierre_Cardin.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Pierre Cardin
Sculptures Utilitaires, V-Desk
1 of 22
![59f4a093ecc5678a1f25360bc79ee421](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4Whp9b9j3i202UwKym0mGg/5b7a43411fcd555e5857ccc3016b34ef/59f4a093ecc5678a1f25360bc79ee421.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
The MUSAC Contemporary Art Museum of Castilla y León
Mansilla + Tuñón
2 of 22
![Ashley bickerton tormented self portrait susie at arles no.2 1988](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4w2X60DuBG608M6UWy0EgW/1d9bbb9401f6bf3bb5ce144cbb54211f/Ashley_Bickerton__Tormented_Self_Portrait_Susie_at_Arles_No.2__1988.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Ashley Bickerton
Tormented Self Portrait Susie at Arles No.2, 1988
3 of 22
![Blair thurman mask of the special red death 2009](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6z7jQpL5KgM6yUqGuYY6yU/b69907d5bdf5daf35fc40aab5228bf02/Blair_Thurman_Mask_of_the_Special_Red_Death__2009_.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Blair Thurman
Mask of the Special Red Death, 2009
4 of 22
![Thomas ruff zwirner 03](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3zGwsdxG7CcEMuCk4MCckM/3e341997e2ce652675373d92ba1a40c7/thomas_ruff_zwirner_03.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Thomas Ruff
Substrat, 2002
5 of 22
![Rail switchtower basel switzerland herzog de meuron](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/S8ifwJLT0cM4kMUA0ACss/da72f77d17b6cc11fd95768f240b2ebd/Rail_Switchtower__Basel__Switzerland__Herzog___de_Meuron.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Herzog & de Meuron
Rail Switchtower, Basel, Switzerland, Built 1998-99
6 of 22
![Cindy sherman untitled 70 1980 chromogenic color print](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5lsryTcx3iYAOEwKKoKY2e/b702388440192c8cc37d0d476e33648a/Cindy_Sherman_Untitled__70__1980_chromogenic_color_print.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Cindy Sherman
Untitled #70, 1980
7 of 22
![nylonh stockings 1960s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/65AOYHjFIsSYqS2o6Ka60i/8751e942ac711d941d5147630f853e82/__Nylonh_Stockings_1960s.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Nylon Stockings
1960s
8 of 22
![Jack goldstein the jump 1978 16mm film color silent 26 sec. courtesy galerie daniel buchholz berlin cologne and the](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/15pC5f6GxkQe0ogq0KSg60/8ea68a187a8c2fc255b7aebaf4fdab11/Jack_Goldstein__The_Jump__1978__16mm_film__color__silent__26_sec.__Courtesy_Galerie_Daniel_Buchholz__Berlin_Cologne_and_the_.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jack Goldstein
Film still from 'The Jump', 1978
12 of 22
![Arata isozaki for memphis 1981](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5CkLwZ0TPUWcsSI2GQyEI8/941bad5b52a177642275b6489285d149/Arata_Isozaki__for_Memphis__1981.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Arata Isozaki
Fuji Cabinet for Memphis, 1981
13 of 22
![Blair thurman opfikon memo from turner 2010](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4XIJGr8cSQeuIEqKg8Y4ao/45c7a6bb866ffe47959fe7c7334ddd1b/Blair_Thurman__Opfikon__Memo_from_Turner__2010.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Blair Thurman
Opfikon (Memo from Turner), 2010
14 of 22
![37ecb83e094f317fe90a8007d456027b](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5IXHGlUL7OigwIQmuewkkM/7f7e70a04780e4667632fe2aae7e7c99/37ecb83e094f317fe90a8007d456027b.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Thomas Ruff
Portrait (J. Renzel), 1988
15 of 22
![100087b](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4xGvxm96akAQcsCACioA8S/ebc7e30cf02edec29bf7ae8b5a2698ac/100087b.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Thomas Ruff
Portrait (P. Lappat), 1987
16 of 22
![Sesann 2 1 2 seat sofa by gianfranco frattini for cassina 1970s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2qfCgREgYUwqwcOquyS4we/fff1f3cee97bcc0daf2cddcccc10f25a/Sesann_2_1_2_Seat_sofa_by_Gianfranco_Frattini_for_Cassina__1970s.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina
Sesann 2 1/2 Seat Sofa, 1970s
17 of 22
![Justin adian come and take it art gessato gblog 2](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6NIKtz4wkECSE8skWG0Qk8/058ee5984018361ac524a837c1a58da3/justin-adian-come-and-take-it-art-gessato-gblog-2.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Justin Adian
Work from Come and Take It
18 of 22
![Film still from jack goldstein s the jump 1978](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/PHCAdEwb4WiWYGwmKQCOu/9171c66c9fac11b17e309217ce1db850/Film_still_from_Jack_Goldstein___s_The_Jump__1978.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jack Goldstein
Film still from 'The Jump', 1978
19 of 22
![Jack goldstein untitled ca. 1986 1988](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1FO7xHIxzKUecSyGyasE4e/dab18770a1bbfbc81e951722f4be28b1/Jack_Goldstein__Untitled__ca._1986-1988.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jack Goldstein
Untitled, 1986-1988
20 of 22
![Kon trubkovich untitled 2010](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5PBEQUf7hYOgUcQuwGqO24/c7d4da7e200bcfacd051570f921779b9/Kon_Trubkovich__Untitled__2010.jpg?w=1000&q=70)