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 In 1996, there were dresses and skirts in clashing patterns and muted earth tones that seemed flat and outdated, all worn with chunky high wedge sandals.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 Vintage Tessuto Nylon Catena Chain Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This iconic Prada Tessuto Nylon Catena Chain Shoulder Bag is a masterpiece that seamlessly merges designer sophistication with functional elegance. Crafted from premium tessuto nylon...
BOTTEGA VENETA beige cotton 2024 SALINA MACRAME Bucket Bag
By Bottega Veneta
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Bottega Veneta Salina bag features a macramé net in yellow, white, and burgundy rope with a sleek burgundy calfskin leather handle. The design is completed with a...
PRADA black CRYSTAL SATIN MINI BUCKET Bag
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Prada mini bucket bag in black satin fully encrusted in black rhinestones, designed in a compact, softly structured silhouette that radiates refined evening glamour. T...
Chanel 1993 Vintage Raffia Straw Jute Gold CC Balls Drawstring Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
circa 1993 beige drawstring fastening chain-link shoulder strap embossed logo to the front main compartment Made in Italy
Black Prada Raffia & Leather Bucket Bag
By Prada
Located in New York, NY
Black Prada Raffia & Leather Bucket Bag. This bag features a raffia and leather body, gold-tone hardware, a single flat shoulder strap, and a drawstring top closure. 9" L x 9.5" H x ...
PRADA natural linen canvas 2012 LINO TWIST Frame Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Prada Lino Twist shoulder bag in natural linen canvas, crafted in a softly structured, elegant silhouette that blends refined texture with exotic detail. This distinct...
$135Sale Price|50% Off
SACAI Transformable mixed fabric wool drawstring bucket crossbody tote bag
By Chitose Abe, Sacai
Located in Hong Kong, NT
SACAI Transformable mixed fabric wool drawstring bucket crossbody tote bag Reference: ANWU/A00017 Brand: Sacai Designer: Chitose Abe Material: Fabric Color: Grey, Blue Pattern: Hound...
$3,012
H 14.57 in W 11.03 in
S/S 2003 Prada off-white beaded leather & silver metal top handle hobo bag
By Miuccia Prada
Located in Berlin, DE
From the highly collectible Prada Spring/Summer 2003 collection, this off-white beaded hobo bag encapsulates the era’s distinctive blend of futurism, sport influence, and sculptural ...
Prada Raso Black Crystal Satin Drawstring Pouch Bucket Bag, Italy c. 2020
By Prada
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
An exquisite Prada Raso crystal satin drawstring pouch bag, style 1NA017, crafted in Italy circa 2019–2021 as part of Prada’s coveted crystal capsule collection. This elegant mini bu...
Rare Chanel 2011 Crossbody Hobo Bag
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Stunning brown leather Chanel drawstring handbag circa 2011! Brown leather is embossed with iconic Chanel camellias which gives this bag such an elegant touch. Featuring brass hardware, a brass and interwoven leather crossbody style chain as the strap, and a brass chord stitching going along the perimeter as the finishing touch. A gorgeous cherry red lining is accompanied by a zip-fastening pocket as well as a slip pocket to ensure all of your belongings remain secure all day. The bag is complete with an amazing signature Chanel interlocking 'C' charm hanging from the drawstring. This is perfect for anyone wanting to channel the boho aesthetic or who's looking for something that's more unique for Chanel as this is a super rare style. Style this with a Missoni Kaftan, an Hermes headscarf...
