As of late, financial news for Prada hasn’t been great. According to Fashionista, the brand’s overall growth was just 1% in early 2014, which is well below what investors would generally hope for in a luxury sector that’s seen sustained expansion overall in recent seasons. A big part of that slowdown comes from consumers’ apparent ambivalence toward Prada’s bags; the category, which is among the brand’s most important, is down 5% so far this year. It’s questionable where the brand’s Spring 2015 collection, which debuted only days after this news emerged, can help.
Runway show are enormous PR opportunities for brands, and the handbags in Prada’s models’ hands tend to be of a more challenging sort than what you’ll find at the shows of competitors like Fendi and Chanel. Those brands arm their models with zeitgeist-y bags and small accessories that inspire wait lists and excited online chatter, but Prada keeps things weird, as it is wont to do. Maybe everyone should just hire Karl Lagerfeld to do everything, at least when the end goal is selling handbags.
Meanwhile, at Prada’s Spring 2015 show, things were as one would expect. Models toted handbag in neutral palettes that reflected both the show’s 70s inspiration and Prada’s signature ugly-pretty aesthetic, which will likely appeal to people who already love Prada (or who want a more exaggerated version of the Givenchy Lucrezia, which seems to be the inspiration for the bag above). It seems unlikely to win Prada new fans, though, and although the brand’s many saffiano styles remain office favorites for women the world over, it could use something fresher and more exciting if it wants to reverse its handbag fortunes.
Check out the full collection below.
[Photos via Vogue UK]
nah, I don’t see any of these bags helping with their sales. at least not from me. what Prada needs to do is work on the quality of their bags, since creativity is clearly lacking. quality will be the key to them selling many many of the same type of bag (saffiano totes) and keep their investors happy!
Dear Prada, stop making “Italian” bags in China. Sincerely, everyone.
I didn’t know that Prada makes her bags in China! Really? Please tell me how did you know about that info? Thank you. I hate buying Leather goods are made in China! It is like a nightmare. I am against animal cruelty of course.
Yes Prada bags are made in China. You can head over to the purseforums from this site and browse the Prada sub-forums. Many users show pictures of hte “made in china” tags in their bags. THere is also a lengthy discussion about Prada bags being made in China. Hope this is helpful!
I’m sorry to bother you. But can you tell me is just Prada made in China or even some other high-end brands are too? For an example: Bottega Veneta, Chanel, L.V and Balenciaga, I hope not!
Really thank you for your time.
I’m not sure, and I don’t think so! Louis Vuitton – I am positive they don’t manufacture in China. Although, their bags are not solely made in France anymore. They also manufacture in Spain and USA.
I’m guessing all the brands that I mentioned are not made in China! I don’t think so. I don’t think Bottega Veneta can do that.
my ;
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I agree that these bags really won’t do much for Prada’s sales. I am a fan, though, of Saffiano totes (have two).
not pretty enough to help the brand. The bags look cheap and very poorly constructed. I’m sorry Prada, try again next season!
I agree. I want to get Prada but made in China thingy really turned me off. And it is not pretty too. Why is it so ugly?
Surprised their sales are down–I see the executive totes everywhere.
Or extremely good knockoffs of them.
Unfortunately, some of the bags look cheap and like so many that have been seen from second tier designers at lower prices. Truth be told, I’ve been scouring the internet for the nylon bags to add to my collection. Nothing they have been doing currently has sparked my interest.
Actually, a few of the top handles with zippers in multi-colors or two-tones caught my eye–usually Prada’s bags strike me as matronly (not that there’s anything wrong with that!) But, when bags are priced over $2500, women get more selective, and not sure if these have enough of the va va voom to create a stir.
Most of these look like the cheap bags Guess has been churning out for years. Prada really needs to step up and do something cool/original like how the Fairy bags were.
Spring 2015? Really? Looks like Winter to me. They are all way too masculine and busy.
Beige, black, and boring.
I bought a Prada…once.
Sold it.
Loyal Chanel and LV fan.
Actually, these bags aren’t knock offs from any other brand: just take a look at some of Prada’s older styles from the early to mid 2000’s (i.e. the Sound bag et al). I’ve always loved Prada and am very happy to see them return to some of the old favourites and update them a bit/splash some 70’s on them. Love!!!!
Really looks like zero effort was put in creating any of these pieces. Let’s just rely on the label to bring all the draw and who cares if it’s bulky, boxy, and just depressing to look at. Ugh. Love the saffiano totes though!
……….snore………..
i hope the sales are so bad the prices go down so i can buy one 🙂
A few months ago, I bought the Prada WOC.. and after using it barely for 6 months the leather is expanding, stretching……I did not spend $700 to get something of this quality…. I was saving up to get the Saffiano Lux but ended up using that money to buy the Gucci bamboo shopper…….. never buying from Prada ever again
I like Prada, but I don’t find very many of these bags particularly engaging. I mean they are nice of course, but not that interesting to me.
dang r those things ugly. XD
They have two things to fix: design and quality. I recently went to their Calgary holtrenfrew store to get the pyramid bag but didn’t have the color I want so got a multi wallet in peony pink. I wanted to try a prada so I disregarded the glue residue here and there. I should have checked closely as 4 months later I noticed loose stitching in three places and a small rip/tear on the leather, which also showed in the pictures I took on the day of purchase. This suggests that was the original condition of the wallet. This is ridiculous. Never buying from them again.
I disagree with the below comments. I absolutely love the new Prada bags. I fact I want to find a reason not to get another Prada purse. I purchased both an LV and a Prada at the same time and the LV already isn’t wearing well but the Prada looks brand new after 7 mos. I’m now looking for a smaller bag and I keep going back to the Sound, it is made from Saffiano leather and will wear well. In addition the Sound has both detachable straps and a handle, very efficient and a beautiful, simple look that doesn’t scream a brand name. When I am looking at spending $2k and up, I want a bag to be useable and last. Prada in my opinion does that.