SimplyAbuDhabi X

1 6 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I M iuccia Prada is a law unto herself and universally adored by the fashion pack. But she seems to have taken everyone by surprise this season with the unexpected minimalism of her collection, leaving the verdict, for once, undecided as to its success. There’s an extreme simplicity to the look with colour and cut pared down to its most basic elements. The feel is blocky and geometric, with flat simple panelling the only embellishments. It seems that’s the one decorative element that Prada is loath to discard. "The border is a timeless decoration, from Ancient Greece onwards," Miuccia explained. She added that it had taken three days to get the border on the collar of a polo shirt just right. On the other hand, she also claimed that the collection had come together faster than anything she'd ever done. Miuccia insisted the whole thing was quite deliberately a blank canvas, the beginning of a new chapter in the Prada story. "Simplicity is repetitive and equal," she said. "After years of references and accessorizing, I felt the need to be so equal." Any hasty assessments should be avoided because when all’s said and done this is still a Prada collection. Therefore the look, though rejecting detail, is rendered in the finest offerings of silk, cotton, jersey, trimmed with a decadent and unexpected smattering of fur. The palate is also bold and spans burgundy, sky blue, pink, coral red, ultramarine, light grey, navy and white. The two-tone seam that runs throughout the collection finds its best outlet in the accessories. The bi-colour sandals work well, as do the moccasins. The theme continues throughout with bags that have contrasting front pockets and aviator sunglasses with two-coloured frames.