A provocative investigation into the evolution of femininity, challenging fixed definitions and revealing its mutability
Words DOMENICO COSTANTINI
What does femininity mean today? How can we define it in a constantly evolving world? The Fall/Winter 2025 runway show by Prada, created by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, is an inquiry into these questions—a provocative exercise in questioning preconceived notions of femininity, beauty, and their infinite transformations. At the heart of this collection lies an exploration of how our perceptions of femininity are never fixed but are in constant flux, shaped by cultural context, personal experiences, and social changes.
In this context, femininity is neither fixed nor predictable. The garments—emblems of femininity—are deconstructed, reshaped, and reinvented. The forms of these pieces, once rooted in traditional ideals of beauty, are in a state of constant flow. Through displacement, resizing, and recontextualization, these garments lose their original identity, becoming almost unrecognizable. As they move on the body, their meanings transform, offering new interpretations, while fragments of separate pieces create entirely new silhouettes. In this process, proportions are recalibrated, making the act of construction a deliberate statement, while raw seams and unexpected materials reveal a primitive, unfinished beauty.
The contrast between this rawness and the glamour of accessories—jewelry, bags, bows—reveals a complex interplay between the refined and the primitive. It is a deliberate opposition, symbolizing the multiplicity of femininity, as well as its ability to elude any singular definition. This divergence is not just a stylistic choice but a reflection of the many facets that make up female identity: refined and raw, structured and adorned.
Set in the industrial space of the Fondazione Prada’s Deposito, the very set becomes the stage for this exploration of contrast. The metal of the steel structure redefines the environment, while a rug designed by Catherine Martin adds a touch of refinement. This juxtaposition between raw and refined, structure and decoration mirrors the duality inherent in the garments, allowing the set to become a tangible manifestation of the complexity and contradictions found within the clothes. In this dialogue between the garment and its context, Prada invites us to reflect on the ever-evolving narrative of femininity and its fluid, ever-changing meaning.
