The House of Savoy coat of arms and knotted rope on Prada’s seal herald that the iconic Italian luxury fashion house was named Official Supplier to the Italian Royal Household in 1919. Started in 1913 by Mario Prada, the brand’s original shop in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II still has the mahogany shelves that displayed its early wares such as travel items and handbags. Today, these fine leather goods are joined by the clothing, wallets and other various accessories that keep the brand on the cutting edge of fashion.
When Mario Prada’s granddaughter, Miuccia Prada (b. 1949), 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, an enthusiast of unconventional Italian filmmakers who’d earned a Ph.D. in political science, 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 Prada 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, more playful 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.
Prada has regularly gone against the grain to elevate styles that have long been out of fashion. In 1996, there were dresses and skirts in clashing patterns and muted earth tones that seemed flat and outdated, all worn with chunky high wedge sandals. Fanny packs followed three years later, and elaborate lace in 2008. Each season continues to bring new eye-catching innovations for the historic brand, including enhanced attention to sustainability with Prada Re-Nylon, a new line of bags created from recycled ocean plastic.
Today, find a wide variety of vintage Prada evening dresses, bags and other items on 1stDibs.
Prada – Guanti Lunghi in Nappa “Deserto” con Scatola Originale –
By Prada
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Rarissimo paio di guanti lunghi Prada in morbida nappa color “Deserto”, finitura liscia e luminosa, completi della scatola rigida originale con logo. Un accessorio elegante e senza t...
Coco Brown Soft Classic Modern Artisanal Handwoven Scarf
By Studio Variously
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coco linen scarf is an elegant piece that is easy to blend in with most outfits. Classic gift or personal purchase for all round the year, this hand woven scarf also supports artisa...
$119
W 35.44 in L 78.75 in
Pecan Soft Brown and White Linen Scarf Handwoven By Artisans Neutral Ombre Hues
By Studio Variously
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Pecan linen scarf is an elegant piece that is easy to blend in with most outfits. Classic gift or personal purchase for all round the year, this hand woven scarf also supports artisa...
Yves Saint Laurent New Suede Gauntlet Gloves
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Geneva, CH
Beautiful never worn 80’s YSL fuchsia gloves trimmed in matching leather diagonal stitching. Both gloves was linked by the original sealing thread. "Yves S...
Vintage Patrick Kelly 1980s Marbled Blue Acetate Unisex Sunglasses
By Patrick Kelly
Located in Paris, FR
Crafted from richly textured marbled blue acetate, this Patrick Kelly frame offers depth, character, and a strong sense of artisanal craftsmanship. The unique patterning of the mater...
Vintage funky red sunglasses - Made in France - 1990 - BOZ
Located in Paris, FR
Boz Vintage Glasses – 1990s Step into the vibrant and creative spirit of the 1990s with this Boz frame, an iconic French brand celebrated for its boldness and artisanal craftsmanshi...
$295
Size: vtg 6.5; comparable to size XS-S
New Christian Dior White Kidskin Elbow Gloves w Eyelets, Orig Pkg – XS–S, 1950s
By Christian Dior
Located in Tucson, AZ
In pristine, brand new condition, these gloves are the pinnacle of femininity thanks to their delicate thread-bound eyelets and scalloped edges. In hard-to-find bright white kidskin leather, their elbow length makes them perfect for black tie. White kidskin leather gauntlet-length dress gloves with fourchettes, eyelets at wrist tops and scalloped cuff edge; elasticated on underside of cuff. Unlined. fabric: kidskin leather noteworthy: clean and condition with leather cleaner alterations: none condition: new measurements: length: 15” from cuff to tip of middle finger...
CHRISTIAN DIOR Brown Quilted Knee-High Stiletto Boots circa 2000
By Christian Dior
Located in Genève, CH
An elegant pair of brown quilted knee-high stiletto boots by Christian Dior, distinguished by the house’s iconic Cannage stitching. Crafted with an almond-shaped toe and softly ruche...
Coco Chanel Early Poured Glass Sea Serpent Belt
By Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
Coco Chanel Early Poured Glass Haute Couture Belt. Designed as a series of swag chains with emerald poured glass stations. Classically Baroque in the Chanel idiom with sea serpent...
Hermes Vintage Memoire d'Hermes Silk Scarf, circa 1990s
By Hermès
Located in Philadelphia, PA
TIMELESS Hermes Vintage Memoire d'Hermes Silk Scarf in excellent condition. Original silk screen design c1992 by Caty Latham features an artistic rendition of portrait of Hermes founder...
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Vintage Leather Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage leather belt from Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Made in Italy, 1980's. Wide belt in deep cream caviar leather with oversized brassy gold toned metal eyelets. Fixed with a l...
1950s Schiaparelli Paris Velour Cocktail Hat - Feather Pom and Rhinestone Trim
By Schiaparelli, Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in North Attleboro, MA
Chic, sculptural, and unmistakably Schiaparelli, this vintage Paris cocktail hat delivers the witty drama the house is known for. This vintage Schiaparelli Paris cocktail hat is a standout example of midcentury millinery design. Crafted in warm cinnamon-brown velour felt, the hat features a structured oval crown wrapped in contrasting velvet bands of burnt orange and deep brown. A dramatic feather pom accents the top, paired with a soft feather spray and a rhinestone flourish for a subtle spark of glamour. The feathers remain present and secure, though the plumage has naturally softened and lost some of its original downy texture over time. This is typical for midcentury millinery. The top of the velour crown shows several small areas of surface nap loss consistent with light moth grazing. These spots are cosmetic, stable, and do not affect the hat’s structure or wearability. Designed to sit at a flattering angle, the hat embodies the sculptural whimsy and bold elegance that define Schiaparelli’s millinery. Details • Designer: Schiaparelli Paris • Era: 1950s • Materials: Velour felt, velvet banding, feathers, rhinestones • Color: Cinnamon brown, rust, deep brown • Style: Percher / cocktail hat • Size: Marked 22 (U.S. sizing), equivalent to approximately 56 cm in European sizing. Suitable for a standard women’s medium fit. • Condition: Very good vintage condition. Feathers intact with age-related softening. Several small areas of surface nap loss to the velour crown consistent with light moth grazing. Structure and trim remain strong. A collectible, personality-filled example of Schiaparelli’s couture...
CoCo Chanel Haute Couture Lion Belt Maison Goossens
By Chanel, Maison Goossens for Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
CoCo Chanel early chain belt composed of signature curb chain with classic signature lions head motifs terminating in an adjustable pendant tassel. Coco Chanel synthesizes her favor...