Prada: heroes did it first

Once again, Miuccia Prada goes on an unexpected direction. This time, though, I felt like it was really obvious once the livestream was over. I don’t mean to say it was easy to digest, it took a while for it to set, but it just felt like a really, really logic step for fall.

Here’s the thing: I know that probably the most impressive thing is how she experimented with a bunch of weird materials (just like Marc Jacobs & Christopher Kane did), but I will skip the part about mermaid scales and triple exclamation points (for now) to focus on a more grown up angle: strange purse placement.

On a first glance what hit me first is the obvious reference to the 1920s. The silhouette, the flapper dresses, wide lapels and dropped waistlines were consistently present.

But what is up with the bags? Flappers carried their clutches something like that. True. But maybe they were intended to look like books?

There was a schoolgirl feel to some of the looks, so it its only natural to pair it up with books. The mary jane shoe-boot-knee-high-sock thingy was truly badass and should become mandatory uniform for everyone (especially the red w pink suede version). The oversized buttons and belt buckles only accentuated it.

Lines were easy and simple, hemlines were precise, and the only print in the entire collection (besides python) might have been inspired by Mondrian who happened to paint these in the 20s.

Just when I was about to settle for the easy 1920′s interpretation and close the case, these wacky mermaids from the future appeared and sent my head spinning into a whole new direction

If you compare these to the swimming caps/helmets from the beginning of the show, the sync swimming theme is suddenly obvious, and I kicked myself hard for not noticing it earlier. Esther Williams was a goddess and her entire filmography must be watched right away.

Scroll to the 2:00 mark if you suffer from short attention span.

Then I remembered that scene in Jupiter’s Darling that’s almost too embarrassing to watch (but at the same is totally awesome) and realized that maybe Prada wasn’t channeling Esther Williams, but Howard Keel instead. And that’s when it hits me: JESUS CHRIST PRADA! GREEK HEROES?

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am translating a fairly bad historic novel about Agamemnon, but I couldn’t help to notice two things that the greek did first and better:

a) The sheer maxi dress thing
b) Mini skirts + knee high shoes

Maybe the bags weren’t books at all. Maybe they were shields and weapons. Maybe those boot-shoe-sock things are meant to be greaves. Maybe the collection is more hostile than Miuccia wanted us to believe. And maybe not.

Before you run to the comment box to scream: YOU ARE INSANE, YAYA, let me tell you that I KNOW I am reading too much into the collection. Its not like I really think Prada put Achilles up in her moodboard next to Clara Bow & Louise Brooks. However, for me comparing opposite things can be crazy fun. Its particularly interesting to notice how cuts and shapes evolve from one era to the next and the building blocks of a manly look from 3000 BC can become a coveted look for girls today. This obviously sparks some ideas in the realm of feminism, but I will spare you the lecture.

I will retire now and try to figure out a way to wear this gorgeous dress I got from ASOS but sadly cannot wear because it exacerbates the genetic betrayal that is my legacy.