Prada is a leading Italian fashion company that began in 1913 as a fine leather goods company founded by Mario Prada. In the 1970s it was taken over by his grand daughter Miucca Prada who along with her husband has developed the family company into a fashion house producing directional clothing and accessories that have had a major influence on mainstream, international fashion. The immense interest in the success of Prada is seen in the number of articles within fashion journalism but also in mainstream journalism such as The New Yorker magazine which profiled Miucca Prada in its March 2004 issue, describing her as "one of the most influential designers in the world, and one of the most powerful women in Europe". Prada's Spring Summer 2004 collection was widely acclaimed by the fashion press as one of the standout collections shown for 2004.

Like many designers, her style is influenced by modernism and her clothes have a pared down aestheic but it is an alternative aesthetic- slightly frumpy and dowdy but nevertheless appealing. The designer will often focus on a colour, a texture, or a memory and then tell her team how to translate the seasonal theme. This outfit was shown in Paris in 2003 as part of Prada's Spring Summer 2004 collection which Miucca Prada claimed was about travel and cultural tourism. Since its debut, the collection has appeared in all of the leading fashion magazines including the major Australian ones. Writing for the International Herald Tribune, leading fashion commentator Suzy Menkes described the show as "quirky and disquieting...the overall effect was inventive, eclectic and very much in Prada's image". The audience was greeted with flight maps superimposed on blow-ups of Venice and the clothes featured small-waisted, full-skirted dresses , and capri pants that were the feminine ideal of the 1950s.

Handbags from Prada's 2004 Spring Summer collection were conceived as unique pieces with precise craftmanship. The bag with its retro shape and Venice postcard print reflects the collection's theme of travel and tourism. This particular bag became one of fashion's 'must have' accessories for 2004.

This bag complements a number of other garments by Prada that have been acquired through the Fashion of the Year program.

The bag was designed and made by Prada in Italy for the Spring Summer 2004 collection.

Each year the Museum updates its international fashion collection with the addition of an outfit and/or accessories from a leading fashion label. After the curator decided to collect an outfit and bag from the Spring Summer 2004 Prada collection, she approached Prada Australia to source a suitable outfit. A number of options from the Prada collection were canvassed. The selection was based on preference and availability. The bag was sourced through the Hong Kong office.

Handbag, womens, canvas / leather / metal, designed and made by Prada for Spring/Summer 2004 collection, Italy, 2003.

Rectangular canvas handbag with a leather and metal strap. The canvas is decorated with a Venice print design in beige, mustard, red, black and white. A tan leather and metal luggage label is attached with a gold coloured buckle at the centre front of the bag. The mouth of the handbag is red patent leather with beige coloured top stitch. It is closed by using a gold coloured metal clasp. A detachable handle consists of two metal buckles and leather strap secured to the bag with a metal catch at each end. The handbag is lined in orange leather, with a internal pocket with zipper at inside back centre.

Designed: Prada; Italy

Made: Prada; Italy; 2003


Used: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences; Sydney; 2004

Manufacturer's trademark logo on metal triangular disc at back lower centre 'PRADA/MILANO/DAL 1913'
Manufacturer's label on metal rectangular plague attached to inside back pocket "PRADA/MADE IN ITALY"
Stamped on clasp and the hooks and loops on strap 'PRADA'

2004/149/2

205 mm

335 mm

88 mm