Prada’s Pradasphere II, a public exhibition that delves into the illustrious 110-year history of the Italian fashion house, debuts this Thursday at Shanghai’s West Bund art hub, set against the scenic backdrop of the Huangpu River.
Held at the Start Museum, whose original site was the first sea-to-land transport platform in modern China, and reimagined by Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel, the free exhibition connects visitors with the brand’s storied past, and its vibrant present and future.
Lego x Hermès Birkin bag: the AI-generated collab we never knew we wanted
Lego x Hermès Birkin bag: the AI-generated collab we never knew we wanted
The exhibition weaves through the timeless architecture of the Start Museum, echoing the seamless blend of history and innovation in Prada, which sets the stage for Miuccia’s reflections.
“I know this may be provocative to say – there is this belief that fashion is going to change with Covid, but I don’t think there is any change,” she said during the exhibition preview.
The journey commences with a digital parade of 10 runway models across various seasons, leading to a magazzino (Italian for warehouse), chronologically presenting Miuccia’s inaugural 1988 collection through to the latest with Simons. Delving into the archives, Simons uncovers the quintessential “Prada DNA that balances reality and eccentricity”.
“What is the definition of Prada ready-to-wear? I think the fact that was already set out in 1988 was interesting for me to discover, as well as for everybody else,” Simons said.
3 unmissable exhibitions focusing on women in fashion now showing
3 unmissable exhibitions focusing on women in fashion now showing
The latter half of the exhibition features “Materiality”, a mirrored chamber highlighting 20 skirts that gather together nearly three decades’ worth of textures and constructions. And it also helps transition into the action-packed, forward-looking facet of Prada with “Re-Nylon” and “Luna Rossa” (featuring a sailing simulator), which visitors can experience before going into the cafe.
The star-studded after party at Hengshan Cinema was attended by a number of international celebrities, including brand ambassadors Hunter Schafer and Li Xian , Hollywood actor and Prada’s catwalk regular Jeff Goldblum, Chinese film icon Gong Li, Chinese singer Tan Jianci, Hong Kong actress Kara Wai, models Liu Wen and Du Juan, Taiwan actor Eric Chou, Thai actress and model Kanyawee Songmuang and Chinese actor Bai Yufan.
Meet Cathy Ang, the Asian-American breakout star from And Just Like That
Meet Cathy Ang, the Asian-American breakout star from And Just Like That
Pradasphere II is likely to bode well given the brand’s strong foundation with locals even through Covid-19 – holding ongoing talks and pop-ups at Rong Zhai, a historic residence restored by Prada, and the 2021 wet market pop-up in Shanghai that has served as a textbook reference for other luxury brands. These give both long-time aficionados and new admirers a chance to engage with the legacy beyond the luxury retail space.
Pradasphere II is free and open to the public from December 7, 2023 to January 21, 2024 at the Start Museum, 111 Ruining Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai.
Credit: Source link