“What to wear with what? How to combine these things with each other? Is it possible to create an image differently?” said Prada co-creative director Raf Simons backstage at the Prada autumn-winter 2026/2027 show in Milan. These are the questions that became the starting point for the new collection of the Italian fashion house. On the catwalk, Prada showed a simple but very clear idea: the same things can create different images.
The Prada autumn-winter 2026/2027 show was built quite atypically: fifteen models took to the podium four times. Each new appearance demonstrated a new look. At the same time, the models gradually removed one layer of clothing. The audience could see how one set of clothes changed and turned into another. Thus, Prada showed how things from one wardrobe can work together in different combinations.
This idea is very close to everyday experience. Many people open their closet every morning and ask themselves the same questions. What to wear today? Why does it seem like there is nothing to wear, even though there are so many clothes? The Prada show offers a simple answer. The problem is often not the number of things. The problem is that clothes are rarely combined in new ways. That is why the Prada idea looks so convincing. The brand showed that any thing can be perceived completely differently, just by combining it with something else or adding a few accessories. The Prada show was a clear demonstration of the power of styling.
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One of the most striking examples was the appearance of Bella Hadid. At first, the top model took to the catwalk in a bomber jacket and a translucent skirt. During the next exit, she appeared in a transparent mackintosh coat. The third look consisted of a white dress made of printed cotton poplin. Hadid's fourth exit was an image with a gray wool vest and matching shorts. In all these images, some details remained unchanged. Bella was dressed in burgundy socks and high-heeled shoes. The images were also complemented by elegant bags with short handles. The bags changed from one exit to the next. It was these accessories that showed how small changes can completely change the look of an image.
There was a different rule in the fashion industry for a long time. Big fashion brands usually expect celebrities to wear clothes exactly as they were shown on the catwalk. The full catwalk look was considered the only correct styling option. That's why the Prada Fall-Winter 2026/2027 show feels so fresh and relevant. Prada showed a different approach to fashion.
In recent years, even celebrities have increasingly repeated their looks and worn the same clothes even on the red carpet. This is what the Princess of Wales, Cate Blanchett and Jane Fonda do. The Prada show also proved another important point. You don't need a lot of things to create different looks. At first, the guests of the show didn't even understand what was happening. It was only when the same models appeared on the catwalk for the third time that it became clear that the looks were made up of the same clothes. In many cases, the basis of the looks was only five key wardrobe elements. These five things created four different looks. This was one of the main ideas of the Prada collection.
Model Achol Ayor. She appeared on the catwalk in several layers of clothing. The first element was a cropped jacket with a zipper. Under it was a coat with a floral print. Then – a textured gray cardigan. The next layer was a transparent black dress. The look was completed by a green skirt with decorative elements. These items created different variations of the look.
The idea of the Prada show has a broader context. It is connected with the topic of sustainable development in the fashion industry. In recent years, this topic has been heard less often. However, Prada has once again drawn attention to it. A study by the Hot or Cool Institute, published in 2022, gives an indicative figure. In order for the fashion industry to help limit global warming to 1.5°C, each person should buy no more than five new items per year. In this context, the Prada show looks very symbolic. At a time when environmental issues sometimes take a back seat, the Prada show reminds us of a simple thing. Re-wearing clothes is not only responsible, it is also modern and stylish.
Based on material from vogue.co.uk