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As Mrs. Prada turns 66, it occurs to us that she is that rare creature: a proper fashion legend. A woman who constantly moves fashion forward, it is often noted that her creativity is so advanced it can take everyone else a couple of seasons to catch up. Happy birthday to the only person we know who can convince us to wear socks with sandals. In celebration, here are just some of the times Miuccia was a total fashion revolutionary:
1. Two weeks ago…
When she dressed Katy Perry in a black velvet Goth gown with sweeping train for the Met Gala. Said dress was adorned with multiple golden metal charms, flowers, keys and tiny mini bags. YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH TINY MINI BAGS. What did it all mean? We don’t know either – yet.
2. Last year
When she ventured into hospitality, and hired film director Wes Anderson to do up her Milanese cafe Bar Luce. It’s pink and green with pinball machines! It looks more than a bit like a set from The Grand Budapest Hotel! Not since the original supermodels opened their Fashion Café in the ‘90s has the fashion pack been so excited.
3. In September 2014…
When she brokered Australian model Gemma Ward’s runway comeback after a six-year hiatus.
4. During the making of Gatsby…
When she answered Catherine Martin’s call to help costume Baz Luhrmann’s cinematic ode to flapper era excess, adapting 40 dresses from the Prada and Miu Miu archives – including that spangly pink showstopper worn by Carey Mulligan as Daisy.
5. When she opened an entire exhibition of skirts
She actually did that. It was called Waist Down, Skirts by Miuccia Prada, featured more than 200 styles and ran in New York for six weeks in 2006. Famous architect Rem Koolhaas designed the displays. So now you know.
6. When she lent her name to the most famous fashion comedy of all time
What else would that devil Miranda Priestly wear? Miucca herself was not consulted. “I was terrified: the book was awful,” she told Italian news site Corriere della Sera last year. “The film, on the other hand, was fun.”
7. In Spring 2007…
When she made it acceptable to step out in skirtless in big satin knickers. Remember Victoria Beckham in hers? Nine years later, the big knicker/bodysuit trend is officially a thing.
8. In 1992…
When she launched Miu Miu, as Prada’s less expensive little sister. Miu Miu was her family nickname by the way.
9. When she invented the It bag
It was the mid-eighties. A bag was just… a bag. Then Prada launched its black nylon backpack and the world was changed forever.
10. In the late ‘70s…
When she began turning the Prada family business from a luggage shop into an avant-garde fashion icon.
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