Fifteen models. Sixty looks. The hypnotic pounding rhythm of D-Shake’s Techno Trance. Mrs Prada has been crafting our wardrobe for years but this was the ultimate Prada wardrobe. The AW26 collection, titled “INSIDE PRADA,” was a celebration of layering, transforming and determination. The 15 models, including Julia Nobis and Bella Hadid, stormed through the Fondazione Prada which had been decorated with original artworks, furniture and tapestry from five centuries. They were on a mission - we could only imagine the chaos backstage - as they each layered up and stripped down into their four different looks throughout the show. Rain jackets were worn over woollen jumpers; scarves were striped and thick; sheer transparent shirts were worn over light dresses ready to be deconstructed; heels were sharply pointed, laced and worn with embellished socks - as is the Prada way - and dresses unzipped to reveal yet another look.

"As a woman, your life is layered – each day demands not only a shifting of clothes, but a richness of identities within yourself,” said Mrs Prada. "This collection reflects the complexity of life, and that inherent complexity of women.” Backstage after the show, Prada’s new front row lineup featuring the most interesting women of the moment including Sarah Pidgeon, Eileen Gu, Gabbriette and more, hung out with the 15 models, and swarmed Mrs Prada and Raf Simons, who continued to decipher the show with us. It was as Mrs Prada said: "You make choices, you decide who you want to be, how you want to present yourself, adopting characters, redefining yourself.” And as Raf said: ‘We liked the idea of a small group of women, the notion of seeing each woman four times within a single show, because you engage more both with her as a person, and with the look. And like real life, her outfit transforms at different moments in her day.” As each look was reinvented and rediscovered, it was a Prada fantasy come true.

prada.com