Contents
Introduction
Why is Italy’s oldest famous fashion house synonymous with plastic?
Because that’s what nylon is, plastic!
If you hate scrolling, the “too long, didn’t read” answer is:
Anti fashion, Miuccia Prada, and history repeating itself.
The long, and much more insightful answer, starts here:
Plastic Fantastic!
A term coined in the 80’s, ironically describes the short lifespan of plastic products.
If you’re reading this, chances are you too feel a certain disdain for the mother of mass produced.
Ironically, the Prada nylon line also originates from the 80’s. It was Miuccia Prada’s first successful line of handbags after some short flings with more traditional leather styles, following the tradition of her mother Luisa Prada.
But times were changing, and simply doing like mama did would not cut it going into the 80’s.
Fashionistas during this time had likely been in circles of hippies and punks, and whether they believed in tearing down the system, peace & love, or if they simply were in it for the psychedelics and music matters not.
Rebelling against the parents' generations was romanticized and so their parents' fashion simply would not cut it.
Enter the Prada Vela Backpack.
Prada VELA backpack on ZenPlus marketplace.
Even people not into fashion have seen this iconic piece of fashion history either in real life or on the silver screen. This backpack would dominate the fashion landscape all the way into the early 2000’s. And keeping in mind what we discussed above, it’s not so surprising.
Anti fashion:
When the Vela backpack first “dropped” as the kids say, Prada was 34 years old, holding a doctor's degree of political science, was a member of the communist party of Italy and was an outspoken feminist. No wonder she found the bourgeoisie designs of the past unappealing.
Similar to Chanel when she designed her iconic flap bag, which arguably birthed the modern fashion industry, Prada wanted something liberating, beautiful and timeless.
Nylon became this revelation.
At this point, nylon was shunned as a cheap material mainly used in workwear and mass produced factories. It was a symbol of the working class. By bringing in such a material to the runway, not only did Miuccia revert expectations, she also gave female fashionistas an option that was largely waterproof, gave full mobility to both hands, great for travel, and so darn sexy. Walking the balance of cute and hardcore the backpack was an instant hit.
Miuccia The Feminist
I parallel the Vela backpack to the Chanel Flap bag which was a step away from handbags which robbed women of an arm in daily life. It may seem trivial today, but at the time in the high fashion world, there were no alternatives that provided a level of freedom and independence the Vela backpack provided. It took just enough inspiration from its rebel roots.
There’s a reason we see young people today walk around with Fjallraven's Kanken backpacks, or Longchamp, but it all started with Prada.
The Vela looks just as good at a Hollywood premiere as it does on a protest, or a rave.
Prada nylon looking like it belongs in any setting.
Timelessness
It’s been 40 years since the Prada nylon was introduced, and for the reasons stated above, it’s become timeless. Turns out, despite the steep price tag, people don’t stop wanting to be punk despite being upper class. Brands like Vivienne Westwood, Chrome Hearts, BAPE and more, have direct ties to Prada's Nylon designs and her era.
Prada herself is quite open about how her designs are focused on capturing the essence of fashion, and not to get caught up in trends, though she admits it is unavoidable at times.
Full Circle
If you’re following the fashion landscape, you’ll be aware of Prada’s re-release of the Vela backpack along with other nylon designs with her iconic Re-Nylon line. This collection uses a material known as EchoNyl, which is 100% recycled and recyclable.
Not only is the form familiar, but it’s soul too.
Because who is the modern punk or hippie, but the climate activist?
Now it’s time to do your part in RE-cycling! ZenPlus has a plethora of pre-loved Prada pieces, ready to be RE-Loved, by you!
About The Writer
Magnus Paslawski has three years of professional experience as a re-seller and auctioneer of luxury goods. He currently does marketing for ZenPop.jp but is always up to date on the designer world. Read his previous designer bag blogs ZenPlus Has a Himalayan Croc Birkin and It’s Everything! and Why do people prefer luxury shopping in Japan?
