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 In 1996, there were dresses and skirts in clashing patterns and muted earth tones that seemed flat and outdated, all worn with chunky high wedge sandals.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.
Vintage 2000's Prada Two Tones Mini Duffle Tote
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Vintage 2000's Prada two tones mini duffle tote . Features a two-tone beige and black nylon fabric, wide black webbing straps, small side zip pocket, red Prada logo tab and a striki...
Vintage Prada 2000’s Tote Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada 2000’s black tote bag. Features eyelet closure, Prada enamel triangle on the side and one zipped interior pocket. Pre-loved, in good vintage conditi...
Prada Camouflage 2 Way Tote
By Prada
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Prada military style tote bag. The bag has two large leather handles to wear it over the shoulder and comes also with a brown leather strap to wear it crossbody. The piece is made of...
Vintage 2000's Prada Black Nylon Mini Duffle Tote
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Vintage 2000's Prada black nylon mini tote. Features a black nylon body fabric with utilitarian grey handles . Side zip mini pocket with Prada red logo at the bottom. Main compartme...
Prada Grey Tessuto Nylon Twin Pocket Backpack 1P826
By Prada
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 60 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 12" Width: 4.5" Height: 9.5" Shoulder Handle Drop: 9"-16" OVERALL GOOD CONDITION ( 7/10 or B ) Accessories: Auth...
$1,711Sale Price|20% Off
S/S 1999 Miu Miu Runway&Campaign Olive Nylon Asymmetric Utility Bag
By Miuccia Prada, Miu Miu
Located in Berlin, DE
This asymmetric olive green utility bag from Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 1999 collection is a striking example of Miuccia Prada’s forward-thinking, utilitarian design ethos at the end of the millennium. Both conceptual and functional, the piece blurs the line between fashion accessory and wearable gear, perfectly capturing the techno-futurist energy of late-’90s Miu Miu...
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...
$1,500
H 9 in D 5 in L 12 in
Pre-Owned Prada Tessuto Double Buckle Messenger Bag Green Nylon Crossbody Bag
By Prada
Located in Rochester, NY
A sleek example of Prada’s signature utilitarian luxury, this pre-owned Prada Tessuto Double Buckle Messenger Bag combines the house’s iconic Tessuto nylon with a functional everyday messenger crossbody handbag. Minimalist yet instantly recognizable, Prada’s nylon bags remain among the most collectible accessories of the modern era. Rendered in an uncommon green tone, this messenger style offers a fresh alternative to standard black while maintaining the understated sophistication associated with the brand. The streamlined silhouette is accented by distinctive double buckle detailing, adding structure and visual interest to the clean modern form. Designed for versatility, the adjustable strap allows comfortable shoulder or crossbody wear, while the lightweight construction makes it ideal for commuting, travel, errands, or daily use! This piece is offered as a pre-owned resale item and may show signs of prior use consistent with age, storage, and handling. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description and condition report. Authenticity / Independent Resale Notice This is a pre-owned resale item. Seller is not associated or affiliated with Prada, and this listing is not endorsed by or made on behalf of Prada. Any trademarks mentioned are used only to identify the genuine pre-owned item being offered for resale. Any authentication is performed independently by the seller and/or qualified third-party authenticators where applicable. No representation is made that the brand owner has authenticated or approved this item. Search Terms Prada green bag, Prada messenger bag, Prada Tessuto nylon bag, Prada crossbody, Prada buckle bag...
Prada Re-Nylon & Saffiano Leather Duffle Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada Re-Nylon & Saffiano Leather Duffle Bag Large duffle bag crafted from re-nylon gabardine fabric in navy and red with Saffiano leather trims. Featuring the brand's signatur...
$1,069
H 9.06 in W 10.63 in D 3.15 in
Prada Sport SS 2003 Technical Nylon and Leather Shoulder “Hoop” Bag
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Berlin, DE
Prada Sport shoulder bag from the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, crafted in the house’s signature technical nylon with leather trim. This iconic “hoop” silhouette is characterized by...
