Prada catwalk show report A/W 2015 in Milan

Prada’s latest offering for autumn/winter came in a series of pastels contrasted with some strong textures, all lined up like sweet confectionaries. Their recent dip in sales seemed forgotten as models took to the runway in shades of sweet pink, pistachio, teal and mustard. Leaving behind last season’s purple sand dunes and frayed brocade, Miuccia Prada described this one as “soft pop”, a crooked version of sweet-meets-violent.

Fitted, double-breasted coats and cropped, skinny trousers were definitely spreading the retro vibe, but the stretchy jersey, neoprene fabric added just a tad of a futuristic touch. Never one to stay within her comfort zone, Miuccia Prada played with our minds constantly, making us wonder what is real and what is not. The classic herringbone tweed came woven and printed with unexpected fur panels down the front and contrasting shoulders.

Printed, neoprene-like material was juxtaposed against a leather lookalike, seen in the boxy jackets, skirts and coats. The voluminous empire-line dresses in girly pastels came adorned with large dazzling, bejewelled plastic flower brooches down the front; something that otherwise might have looked out of context suddenly made a lot of sense. Tiny details like leather gloves in all possible colours, little fur collars, two-toned retro-ish bags, and not to mention the crystal clips on Guido Palau’s side swept ponytails, tied up all the loose ends to make each look worth a second glance.

How can a Prada show be complete without some attention-grabbing footwear? The overpowering delicateness of the clothes was counter balanced perfectly with some block-heeled and strappy Mary Janes. The pantsuits were paired with pointy-toed boots in dull grey and white. The fact that a pair of ugly grey boots with chunky soles would look fabulous with the kind of clothes sent down the runway was probably an irony one might think the designer was going for.

Chaitrali Tilak