Prada Spring Summer 2014 Collection Reminds Us Hideously Chic Is Still Wearable
Miuccia Prada must have sent someone to pick up all of the jaws dropped on the runway this week after presenting their bold and artful Spring 2014 collection at Milan Fashion Week. The room drew in a powerful declaration of mural artwork while sparkling corsets were worn as external armour over bright coats.
“As part of the environment for the Spring/Summer 14 Women’s fashion show, Prada invited muralists Miles “El Mac” Gregor, Mesa, Gabriel Specter, and Stinkfish, and illustrators Jeanne Detallante and Pierre Mornet, to engage themes of femininity, representation, power and multiplicity on the walls of the Via Fogazzaro show space in Milan.”
The entire mural takes form and is captured on film. Heart of Multitude – Director’s Cut – Prada Spring Summer 2014 is so captivating, you’ll appreciate the creation from start to finish.
With each look, you sense a kind of brutefulness that is balanced by rich cuts and garish artwork. Sporty footless legwarmers mixed with colourful coats are covered in cheeky graffiti art showed; women of all kinds can pack a whole lot of attitude.
Prada Spring Summer 2014 Milan Fashion Week Runway Show
This collection felt new, yet oddly familiar. As time went on and models took the runway, I felt a pang of nostalgia. Miuccia Prada brought a deep sense of athleticism and street edge to this collection. This hideously-chic collection took me straight back to street fashion in a certain country that I only consider to be a separate world in itself. If anyone could wear something so outrageous, controversial and loud while making it work to their advantage, it would certainly be someone in Japan.
The hustle and bustle of the large crowds from the brightly lit shopping arcades (an outdoor shopping strip protected by a vaulted ceiling), streets and department stores are incredibly intoxicating. There is only one way to cope and it is to take in the rush and embrace the sensory overload. In an attempt to find statement pieces, you could uncover something classy, romantic, bold, simple, whimsical, hideously trashy, drastic, flashy or unique. In Japan, you’ll discover lace mixed with various patterns and styles, bold colours combined with distinctive graphic prints, as well as daring cuts and suggestive shapes you would rarely find worn on the streets at home. Beyond every shopping trip would be a magnificent and stylish encounter.
By chance, you might walk into a boutique and find some of the strangest, most unattractive pieces. The following day, you may find the exact same, hideous piece hanging off of a slender passerby who styles themselves in such a way that it makes it appear stylish, trendy and chic.
The most outrageous trends can be seen on the women and men who are bold enough to take you in that realm without even thinking anything of it. That is not to say that you will always be pleasantly surprised by how people are always dressed, but one thing is for sure; if you can’t hear the message through the clothes worn here, you’ll sometimes hear it screaming at the top of its lungs over there.
Here are images from Tokyo Fashion Week for merciboucoup and some of the outrageous looks from taken on the streets of Japan.