Step Into Luxury at the Start Museum with 400 Artifacts from Prada’s Storied Past
Luxury fashion house Prada inaugurates Pradasphere II, an immersive exhibition at the Start Museum in Shanghai, China. The exhibition, co-curated by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, narrates Prada’s evolution from its 1913 inception to the present day. Comprising over 400 artifacts, the showcase explores Prada’s influence on luxury, beauty, and fashion as an intellectual endeavor.
Presented as a lavish magazzino (Italian for warehouse), Pradasphere II, crafted in collaboration with design studio 2×4, features an industrial aesthetic juxtaposed with refined touches. The exhibition symbolizes Prada’s belief in the convergence of fashion with various facets of life, including history, art, sport, architecture, and sound.
The main magazzino corridor exhibits nearly 200 women’s and men’s looks, spanning Prada’s inaugural collection to the latest designs. Curated by Raf Simons, the display includes rare pieces not seen for over three decades. Special rooms branch off, delving deeper into various dimensions of Prada’s world.
Pradasphere II unfolds thematic rooms, such as FRATELLI PRADA, offering a glimpse of the original Prada store in Milan, and PRADA A MILANO, showcasing photographs by Albert Watson and early Nylon collection specimens. GALLERY introduces artworks by Damien Hirst, while GREEN STORE revisits iconic Prada shoe displays.
The exhibition delves into Prada’s collaborations in cinema, architecture, sustainable fashion, and more. From Prada’s involvement in the America’s Cup with Luna Rossa to the exploration of sustainable materials in RE-NYLON, the exhibition showcases the brand’s diverse interests and innovative spirit.
The materials used in Prada’s creations, ranging from skirts to handbags, highlight the brand’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. The exhibition also offers insights into major Prada architecture projects and explores the development of sustainable materials in RE-NYLON.
Pradasphere II extends beyond the exhibition hall, featuring a luxurious Prada-themed cafe, a special gift shop, and a workshop area housed in historic train cars. The entire experience is accompanied by bespoke soundscapes created by electronic musician Plastikman.
Pradasphere II grants visitors unparalleled access to Prada’s history, ideals, and ongoing evolution. The exhibition, set against the backdrop of the newly renovated Start Museum, is a testament to Prada’s enduring legacy and its continual quest to challenge conventional notions of luxury.
Pradasphere II is open to the public from December 7, 2023, to January 21, 2024, at the Start Museum, 111 Ruining Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai. The exhibition marks a historic first for the museum and is complemented by a beautifully designed book documenting the magazzino’s contents.
