Prada SS26
Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 show, co-designed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, turned the concept of uniforms into a study of freedom and elegance. Presented in a lacquered orange space, the collection challenged traditional codes of discipline, suggesting that structure itself can become liberating.
The silhouettes drew on familiar functional archetypes: pleated trousers, boxy short-sleeve shirts, and utilitarian outerwear. Yet alongside these came unexpected gestures of glamour, taffeta skirts emerging from raincoats, satin opera gloves framing workwear looks. Pieces appeared modular and fluid, with detachable collars, layered skirts, and bralettes reduced to raw, almost elemental form.
Both designers spoke of fashion as a “toolbox,” encouraging wearers to recompose outfits beyond conventional categories. In this spirit, the uniform became less about restriction and more about possibility. Simons noted that his father had worked as a nightwatchman, a memory that recast the uniform as protection and anonymity rather than authority.
The SS26 collection captures this duality. It acknowledges the discipline of uniformity but reclaims it as a language of self-determination, where utility and sophistication coexist seamlessly. Prada’s message was clear: the uniform is no longer a cage, but an open frame for individuality.
