Pradasphere II, unveiled at the Start Museum in Shanghai, meticulously traces Prada‘s evolution from 1913 to the present. This captivating exhibition, co-curated by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, encapsulates over a century of the brand’s history, spanning fashion, art, architecture, culture, and more, showcased through 400+ physical and digital artifacts.
Expanding on the successful 2014 debut, this iteration delves deep into Prada’s transformative journey, spotlighting its impact on luxury, fashion, and beauty as an intellectual pursuit. Designed as a lush ‘magazzino’, the Italian word for warehouse, Pradasphere II, in collaboration with the New York City and Beijing-based studio 2×4, ingeniously blends industrial aesthetics with opulence. The exhibition reimagines Prada’s multilayered universe, emphasizing how fashion intersects with life’s various facets—history, art, sport, architecture, and sound.
The main corridor features nearly 200 selected looks, both women’s and men’s, from the first collection to the current day, some of which have not been seen for over three decades. These looks have been carefully chosen by Raf Simons, super-fan from the outside turned insider and co-creator. Special rooms like Fratelli Prada, Prada A Milano, Gallery, Green Store, Cinema, Vitrine, Architecture, Materiality, Luna Rossa, Linea Rossa, Re-Nylon, Fondazione Prada, and Pradasphere Caffè serve as focal points to delve deeper into Prada’s multi-dimensional world.
From re-created historical spaces to exclusive artworks by Damien Hirst, rare photographs by Albert Watson, and glimpses into iconic collaborations with Ridley Scott, Wes Anderson, and others, the exhibition showcases Prada’s profound artistic intersections beyond fashion. Highlighting craftsmanship,…