Miuccia Prada -- It's All In The Family

Miuccia Prada

 Article by Sharon Stajda,

Prada was founded by Miuccia Prada's grandfather in 1913. Miuccia Prada was a most unlikely successor to her grandfather. Miuccia had spent the previous years in obtaining a Phd in Political Science, and also was an accomplished performing mime.

Her political believes lead her into becoming a member of the Communist party.

When Miuccia took over the family business in 1978, the Prada was near bankruptcy. She had little or no design experience, but in a relatively short time she built Prada into one of the most recognized fashion houses in Milan.

Her first big hit was with handbags, that were not made with Italian leather, but made from parachute fabric or finely-woven nylon. These first designed handbags quickly became the choice of the fashion cognoscenti, and still are popular today. Prada's handbags have also become one of the most copied, and counterfeit handbags . However, it would appear that the copying of the Prada handbags has made the authentic item even more desirable, and a must have for fashionestas.

In the late 80s, Prada introduced its first ready to wear collection.

Miuccia Prada established herself as a minimalist using innovative fabrics and colors. In the past decade, Prada has established itself as one of the most innovative fashion houses in the world.

 The Prada line has evolved from clothing and leather goods, to include jewelry, fragrance, sunglasses, and even luggage.

The Wall Street Journal, has named Miuccia Prada one of the thirty most powerful women in Europe today. From fabulous runway shows to gracing the bodies of actresses like Uma Thurman and Cameron Diaz, Miuccia Prada has taken her grandfather's struggling leather goods business and created a true empire.