For Miuccia Prada, it’s all about women. Through her work, she exhibits female strength and power and plays with the stereotypes of the “lesser sex”, which she clearly doesn’t consider to be so. This year, she’s taken things to the next level with her Spring/Summer 2012 collection. This season’s biggest triumphs – lace, silk, and pastel colors – were all brought together into a pair of shoes that has quickly become a mainstay the entire world over. So what’s so special about them?
Miuccia has taken the liberty of uniting two contrary notions that we have about women: gentleness and aggressiveness, symbolized by this collection of surrealist shoes. Inspired by American automobiles of the 50s, the shoes are decorated in a very distinct manner, with wings, flames, and headlights.
“I was terrified. I wanted to take on the taboo theme of gentleness, which is one of a woman’s greatest qualities. But that’s only if she’s not aggressive, isn’t it? How can a woman reconcile the two?” Her response is her firm stance throughout the world. It’s crystal clear, and it works like a charm if you take into account all her works of art!
A number of cultural references are coming into play here: 50s autos, which are in and of themselves icons that represent the American Dream, the masculine environment of the auto world, and finally, the culture of the 50s, that placed women both on a pedestal and in the passenger seat while men took the wheel. These shoes, on the other hand, rev their powerful engines every time a woman takes them for a ride. With their shiny leather, bright colors, and futuristic look, you’ll feel ready for many an accomplishment. Perhaps even the elusive American Dream itself!
Leave a Reply