Vogue’s best looks from the Prada fall/winter 2023 show

Prada FW23

10-word show review: The idea of de-urbanising through the romantic propositions of nature
Designer: Miuccia Prada & Raf Simons
Location: Prada Fondazione

The vision: A claustrophobically low ceiling with concrete slabs lining the entire show space created the opening narrative for the Prada show this season. As the ceiling raised, steel columns burgeoned and white flowers were sprawled all over as the classic heather grey sweater made its entrance paired with mid-length skirts covered in floral appliqué. The sheer simplicity of the show was helmed by the intricate details of blossoming flowers that delicately covered skirts or sprouted from the cleavage of toes—suggestive of how nature has its way of reproducing even in the harshest of environments. Shapes shifted from the long and lean to an almost couture-like bauble but all cleverly executed with much ease and vigour.

The vibe: There’s something really magical about a classical score being piped through the speakers at a show and today at Prada, we had a goosebump-inducing moment as ‘The Blue Danube Waltz’ by Johann Strauss was cleverly layered with the hippy rock tunes of ‘I Go To Sleep’ by The Kinks. The result? A hypnotic journey that gave the show an idyllic pace.  

Signature style: Muted sweaters worn over full-length skirts with attached floral appliqué (Look 1) opened the show and quite quickly, the pullulating blooms made way to a series of strictly tailored shirt dresses that ended with a slinky trail (Look 9). The train—as favoured by both Miuccia and Raf—gave that touch of elegance to one of my favourite sections of the show, where white button-down coat dresses looked immaculate as the models walked towards the light (Look 43). There were some looks stolen from the recent men’s show that underscored the whole push towards a genderless wardrobe (Look 15). The show closed with louche slips completely covered in a graphic-like print (Look 50), giving a subtle nod to Miuccia’s very own collection from fall/winter 2015.

What to shop from the collection: Those alien-looking pumps with sprouting stamens (Look 3) would add so much to an outfit while the classic Prada full skirt is a notable collector’s item through and through (Look 13). And because languid coat dresses are looking like a key trend for fall, I suggest you pick from amongst the series of white offerings that held their own mid-quarter way through the show (Look 40).