Runway Report: Prada SS16

Like many of the collections we’ve been seeing in Milan this season, Miuccia Prada gave a nod to retro-chic for Spring 2016. For her it was all about inserting her art-deco quirky magic into what would otherwise be your everyday clean-line and somewhat conservative pieces i.e; corporate skirt suits, throw-on-and-go drop-waist dresses and signature bespoke jackets. And while Miuccia herself was absent from the runway extravaganza – due to a death in the family – her eccentric aesthetic was neither lost nor forgotten.

Defying the ultra-feminine pastel collection’s we’ve been seeing, SS16 reflected back to her days in the mid 90’s where the idea of pretty-ugly rang loud and true and it was through her fabric choice, application, beauty selects and those itty bitty details that she accomplished such a gratifying collection. For the suit pairings, textiles were mixed and layered together with the likes of tweed, checks, houndstooth and even sheer organza. There were bold lacquered stripes seen in everything from leather to snakeskin and suede while shimmering paillette-studded net overlays set upon many of the looks not only provided the finest dicky we’ve ever seen but shook up even her most simple ensemble’s. Even the palette was a surprise. For every brown, white, black and grey appeared a sharp chartreuse, canary yellow or bright primary allowing all of us to interpret the collection and wear each piece as we see fit.