A Luscious Hodgepodge ... Prada FW2014 Collection

You can’t separate Prada from surprises ― or vice versa. 

While Prada has been known ever since its conception as a brand that screams elegance with a touch of minimalism, over the years, the collections have started to scream out extravagance season after season.

There was a season when the pieces were either adorned in semi-precious stones or crystal beads strung together to form chain mail armour-like dresses; another saw vivid geometrical patterns (an ode to the 70s) and capricious monkey and banana prints in classical baroque treatments dominating the runway; and not to forget, the season where women filled the chic streets in Prada’s Mad Men cast-inspired dresses with billowy skirts.  

At the recent fall/winter runway presentation, fans and editors alike were treated to another whimsical surprise. The show opened with model Mariacarla Boscano in a combination of sheer dress with curled shearing (in the hue that is close to redhead) trimming layered on top of a long-sleeved deep V-neck dress in contrasting texture opacity (opaque) with a red scarf wrapped around her neck.

Shearing plays a vital part in the collection with treatments varying from permutation of colours to application. Case in point: The second look which features huge lapels covered in shearing doused in bright colours of red and yellow paired with sheen skirt in purple. 

Nuances of menswear are liberally present in the forms of oversized blazers with contrasting piping and printed overcoat. Presence of sheer black chiffon dresses underneath the tailored blazers softens looks, emanating the essence of modern femininity.

As layering makes the staple part of fall/winter looks, lush oversized cashmere sweaters with chevron prints with deep v-neck provides a stylish “clash” to the printed tie-front dress in red milieu with abundance of geometrical shapes in monotonous black, white and grey. Similar pattern styles are also present in a series of dresses adorned with leather piping resembling thin harness – a probable ode to the Charlotte Rampling’s classic Night Porter.

For footwear, an assorted mix of hues made of red, black and grey is liberally juxtaposed with patent leather serves as the main material. The boots are shin-high, lustrous and resembling classic Wellington boots; flat sandals are in halter silhouette with upper high vamp; and sleek pairs of timeless Mary Janes. Large outsoles play a prominent feature in the footwear collection.    

Prada fall/winter 2014 ready-to-wear and accessories collection will be available at all Prada stores, selected departmental stores and multi-brand stores in autumn.

*Photos courtesy of Prada

Prada – Lot 3.24.00, Level 3, Pavilion KL, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; G31, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Jalan Ampang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.