Fashion Heaven Rants Exclusive: Exploring Prada's Creative Galaxy at the Pradasphere
Far, far away from our galaxy is a
stellar universe that cannot be seen with the naked eyes – even
with the world's most advanced telescope. Unlike the universe where we are living now, the other realm is more vibrant and imbued with cornucopia of colours, shapes, materials, images, patterns and so on. In a way, the universe has given creativity a license to thrive without boundaries.
Now, if our constellation were made of
stars, the moon and the sun, theirs were made of fabulous accessories
such as shoes and bags in many shapes, sizes and styles. As we
descend to the ground, what we will come across is a set of labyrinth
filled with epic architectural marvels designed by architectural
mavens such as Rem Koolhaas/OMA and Herzog & de Meuron. Venture
into the streets, you may see an army of mannequins, all impeccably
dressed in wearable arts catwalking all over the place.
Well, one may call it the fashion
version of the lost ancient city of Atlantis but believe it or not,
this is the universe of Miuccia Prada.
Since the last 30 years, Prada
has never failed to amuse and surprise fashion editors, critics and
fans alike with her unique and outstanding take on fashion.
Though her works may not be as
flamboyant as the ones churned by wunderkind John Galliano or as
avant-garde as the haute couture creations of haute couturier
Jean-Paul Gaultier, her take on minimalism with dash of subtle
eccentricities and inevitable innovation has garnered her the
position as one of the most influential fashion designers of our
generation.
And thanks to Prada, too, nylon, a material that once has
less or no significance at all to the fashion world, had its status
elevated to a grander elevation thanks to her iconic innovation, the
nylon backpacks.
Recently, I was flown to Hong Kong on the kind invitation of Prada to explore deep into the depths of Miuccia's outstanding
universe at the Pradasphere exhibition. First held in London in May,
Hong Kong is the second stop for the exhibition and also, the first
to be held in Asia. Held in a custom-built venue atop the Central
Ferry Pier 4 at the Hong Kong harbour, the Pradasphere exhibition
traces the multivalent obsessions of one of the world’s most iconic
brands. To describe it from fans' point of view, it would be an
equivalent to a fashionable heaven or temple that is chockfull with
everything Prada!
In this unique paean of creativity and
fashion, Prada vision looms large through a collection of archival
objects arranged in specific methodology and curated approach. 
From
the floor to the ceiling and the furnishing, the atmosphere reflects
the sensibility of the hip 1960s with velvety green fabric adorning
the walls and the chairs while classic chessboard print – a usual
feature of the Prada store – adorns the floor.
“Pradasphere is a depiction of a
collective, often exuberant, wildly creative design process.” notes
New York-based designer and writer Mr Michael Rock, who worked hand
in hand with the Prada team to conceptualise this stunning
one-of-a-kind fashion spectacle.
He continues, “It is a story told primarily
through things because design is a way of making in the world. And
these things are extraordinary, both in their sensuality and as the
manifestation of critical issues engaged by design that deals with
the body—especially the female body— in such a direct way.”
During the media walkthrough guided by
Mr Rock, the showcase is divided into six sections, namely Origins,
Typologies, Evolution, Specimens, Construction and Observation.
The
Origins section traces back the history of the brand with a display
of authentic artifacts from the period that Mario Prada opened the
brand's first boutique in 1913 at the prestigious Galleria Vittorio
Emanuele II shopping arcade in Milan. Among well-preserved artefacts
on display were combs and a selection of small leather goods.
The Typologies section serves as the
highlight of the exhibition as it dominates the centre of the hall.
There are six freestanding dioramas with each dedicated to a specific
obsessions or fascination, all displayed in the forms of
ready-to-wear collections that have been churned by Miuccia and her
team, both past and present.
From the six sub-sections, two caught
my attention the most and they are animality, which boasts a
collection of ready-to-wear pieces inspired and crafted in animal
hides such as a full python skin jacket as well as the sex-crossing
Femasculinity section which challenges the mind. 
On the walls, a long
electronic screen projects multiple trajectories of Prada timeline,
ranging from the men and women collection to advertising campaigns
and fashion show spaces. There are also moving visual displays of art
and architectural projects and other Prada events.
Adjacent to the screens, guests are
able to see a display of architectural models from frequent
collaboratos Rem Koolhaas/oma and Herzog & de Meuron that also
include the renowned Prada Transformer project that took place in
Seoul, Korea, many years ago. Next to the architectural showcase is a
selection of books and exhibition catalogues featuring breathtaking
visuals.
In the Specimen section, the selection
of bags and shoes from diverse seasons, drenched in plethora of
colours, silhouettes and adornments lucidly illustrate the essential
qualities that makes Prada an outstanding fashion label in the sea of
luxury brands. The focus on the painstaking design and prototyping
process are also featured within the surrounding the vitrines.
Next is the Construction section where
large-scale table vitrines are filled with precious, exotic, delicate
handmade textiles and innovative materials that make up Prada's most
exclusive design. Case in point: A latex-dipped Guipure lace
transformed into a skirt, a top made up of colourful flattened bottle
caps and a tank top that perhaps made of strung-together painted
stones, drenched in bright yellow.
A series of moving images drawn
from runway footage shots are put on display on a floor-to-ceiling
video display.
The last part of the exhibition, which
is the Observation, is a screening room with a program made of
several film/video projects produced in collaboration with Prada and
renowned directors such as Ridley Scott, Roman Polanski and Wes
Anderson. There is also a VIP room that overlooks the sea and the
Kowloon harbour where the Q+A session between the media members and
Mr Rock took place.
In line with its official opening, a
huge bash was thrown by Prada in the evening on November 18 at the
venue. A star-studded event to remember, the soiree was attended by
celebrities, guests and media members from both Asia and Australia,
who were all dressed up to their nines in Prada, made their way into
the Pradasphere to marvel at the collections on display.
Spotted at the event were actress Gong Li, model Amanda S and Hong Kong's fashion maven Wyman Wong. In between,
multitude of air kisses and hellos were exchanged with smiles being
flashed at the camera lenses.
Later in the evening, guests adjourned
to the after-party venue at the lower deck where they feasted on
lavish dinner spread made of fresh bounties from the sea (read:
seafood) and drinks such as the fancy Fuoco, named after the
oxblood-red hue that is exclusive to Prada. 
Just like the Typologies
section that made the highlight of the exhibition, the energetic live
performance by New Zealand superstar on the rise Lorde was the
definite order of the evening.
Taking the stage in a glitter-trimmed
Prada jacket and a white T-shirt, the Grammy Awards-winning music
prodigy entertained the glamorous crowd with songs taken from her
debut album, Pure Heroine, such as the chart-topping singles Royals
and Tennis Court.
The party continued to the wee hours of the morning
with DJ spinning infectious rhythms and beats, amalgamating the
sounds of Noughties with the anthems of the Nineties.
Million
thanks to Prada for extending me the invitation to the prestigious
event and for hosting me during my stay in Hong Kong, city of the
Fragrant Harbour. Also, thank you to the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
for their superb hospitality and excellent service.
The Pradasphere exhibition is open to the public from now till December 5, 2014. Admission is free.
*Photos courtesy of Prada
Pradasphere – Central Ferry Pier 4,
Central, Hong Kong Island.
I love your post dear Shaiful. Beautiful memorie with Prada...
ReplyDeletexoxo Reagan