Miuccia Prada, the granddaughter of Prada founder Mario Prada, joined the family business at the iconic luxury fashion house in 1970 after earning a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Milan. When she inherited the business from her mother in the late 1970s, Prada was recognized for its quality craftsmanship, yet it was still a modest-sized company.
Miuccia introduced the concept of using pocone — a military-grade water-resistant nylon that feels like silk. Nylon revolutionized the fashion house’s business, with the first Prada nylon backpack released to universal acclaim in 1984. Soon the durable, water-resistant material was incorporated into Prada’s ready-to-wear collections for both men and women. No one had previously considered nylon a part of luxury fashion, and it wasn’t long before the family-owned company best known for its luggage was leading modern style that emphasized function as much as form.
Characterized by clean lines and a refined elegance that signaled the new direction of the legacy brand, Miuccia debuted her first ready-to-wear collection for women in Fall/Winter 1988. More inventive fashion would follow in the ensuing years, such as the 1993 launch of the more affordable Miu Miu line, which was aimed at a younger audience, and the introduction of Prada Sport in 1997 — a collection now widely seen as prescient for its embrace of athleisure.
Miu Miu is largely known for its vintage day dresses, shoes and bags, and embodies its creator’s unconventional, effervescent and contemporary femininity in a style that is a delightful departure from the traditional chic of its parent brand.
Today, Miuccia still heads the fresh, colorful and quirky Miu Miu line, and its widely loved handbags continue to be upbeat, daring and youthful. The brand is embraced by celebrities with a similar sense of sartorial rebellion, like Madonna, Drew Barrymore and Chloë Sevigny.
Find vintage Miuccia Prada evening dresses, skirts and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Prada by Miuccia Prada brown silk chiffon slip dress, fw 1996
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in London, GB
▪ Rare Prada evening slip dress ▪ Designed by Miuccia Prada ▪ Fine silk chiffon with geometric print in brown and cream ▪ Sold with a matching Prada nude silk slip dress to wear u...
Prada by Miuccia Prada brown silk chiffon slip dress, fw 1996
By Prada, Miuccia Prada
Located in London, GB
▪ Rare Prada evening slip dress ▪ Designed by Miuccia Prada ▪ Fine silk chiffon with geometric print in brown, mauve and cream ▪ Sold with a matching Prada nude silk slip dress to...
Prada embellished orange silk organza top and skirt set, fw 1999
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in London, GB
▪ Prada 2-piece set ▪ Creative Director: Miuccia Prada ▪ Fall-Winter 1999 ▪ Constructed from orange silk organza ▪ Beaded leaf-shaped organza appliques ▪ Green suede trim ▪ Crew-...
Jean Paul Gaultier Rust Metallic Jacquard Slip Dress with Chain Straps, FW 2001
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier, Fall-Winter 2001. Rust-red metallic floral jacquard slip dress with a low scoop neckline and fine chain shoulder straps. ▪ Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Creative D...
Comme des Garçons Layered Bias-Cut Silk Dress with Elastic Detailing, SS 1994
By Comme des Garçons
Located in London, GB
This Comme des Garçons dress plays with transparency and layering, offering a minimalist, architectural silhouette typical of Rei Kawakubo's signature design approach in the early 90...
Prada by Miuccia Prada Silk Draped Mini Dress with Chainmail Inserts, FW 2002
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Prada ▪ Creative Director: Miuccia Prada ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 2002 ▪ Fabric: Silk, Chainmail ▪ Details: The dress features v-shaped chainmail inserts, a soft orange si...
Miu Miu F/W 1997 Silk Slip Dress
By Miu Miu
Located in Paris, FR
Silk slip dress Miu Miu crafted from fluid silk in vibrant red. Features thin adjustable shoulder straps, V-neckline, and relaxed A-line silhouette that falls to mid-calf length. Sid...
Prada copper Metal Knit Maxi Dress, Early–Mid 1990s
By Miuccia Prada
Located in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH
A rare archival piece from Prada’s early 1990s collections, this rose gold metal knit dress captures the brand’s quietly glamorous, innovative edge. Designed with a softly scooped ne...
Travilla Long Blood Orange Chiffon Gown, Circa 1970
By Travilla
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a long blood orange chiffon gown by Travilla, from the 1970's. The gown has a deep neckline with gathers, a halter neck, layers of ruffles ...
Vintage Blunauta Silk Slip Dress in Fiery Orange
Located in Milano, IT
This captivating vintage slip dress by Blunauta embodies the refined sensuality and effortless elegance that defined Italian fashion in the 1990s. Crafted from pure silk in a bold, v...
ALTUZARRA Size 2 Penelope Orange Brown Tie Dye Sleeveless Asymmetrical Hem Dress
By Altuzarra
Located in San Francisco, CA
ALTUZARRA "Penelope" dress in an orange and brown polyester featuring a tie dye design, asymmetrical hem, and waist tie with button closure. New with Tags. Marked: IT 36 Measur...
PRADA orange silk ELEPHANT PRINT Sleeveless Cocktail Dress 44
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
Prada SS'17 elephants tent dress in orange, purple, pink, and white silk (100%). With pleats from the right shoulder, drawstring around the hemline and zipper slits on the sides that...
