Prada Spring 2011 Collection Review: Odd Silhouettes and Monkeys

Miuccia Prada declared, “I’m tired of minimalism”, right before her show. I see how she might feel this way after seeing how NY Fashion Week went. But from there to go and dress women in unattractive scrubs-like minimal silhouettes in technicolor and Darwinist prints is a far cry from what I’d expect Prada’s resolution to the problem could have been.

If Prada’s Fall 2010 collection was filled with flattering hourglass silhouettes (influenced by The New Look, but not to the ridiculous extent of Louis Vuitton), for next spring Prada tried to re-interpret these in a more minimal shape and form. With a Carmen Miranda twist.

The first few were simple in shape and bold color looks. Was it hourglass? Yes, but I don’t know any woman, including myself, on whom this stiff sleeve and rounded shoulder would work. It didn’t even work on the gorgeously proportional models.

When these were done, came the bananas and the monkeys. I can understand Miuccia Prada’s desire to play. After all, fall season was so serious, with Vogue trying to take us back in time to when the children were polite and women weren’t expected to work. But, as much as I wanted to be amused by these prints, the stiff fabric used to create these looks brought me down.

Call me simple minded, but the chic black and gray looks towards the end caught my attention. Slip dresses and skirt suits were just playful enough to stir clear of boredom but avoid ridiculousness. Bottom line? I’m obsessed with the thin-stripe skirt suit. The bananas? Not so much.

fashionloverliz

At the time I was writing my review I wasn't aware that ALL the critics loved it. I read some, but thought it would end up being divided. I was surprised to later find out I was alone in my opinion.

In fact, WWD reported today that Prada postponed meetings with American buyers until October – to fine tune the collection. So … obviously the market have spoken.
Anna

I completely agree! Oh m word, most ‘reviews’ were free of opinion, god forbid anyone criticise the great prada. this ws a hideous, juvenile collection that any fashion school student could have topped. does prada really hate her customers that much? i don’t understand the praise some fasionistas have bestowed upon it. all i can say is, good luck pulling fashion out of the recession with this kind of work. utterly terrible and mind boggling work
fashionloverliz

At the time I was writing my review I wasn't aware that ALL the critics loved it. I read some, but thought it would end up being divided. I was surprised to later find out I was alone in my opinion.

In fact, WWD reported today that Prada postponed meetings with American buyers until October – to fine tune the collection. So … obviously the market have spoken.
http://fashionlvr.com/4007/eva-mendes-prada-spring-2011-bananas-dress/ Best Dressed: Eva Mendes In Prada Spring 2011 Bananas Dress

[...] Mendes wore this monkeys and bananas dress from the Prada Spring 2011 forthcoming collection to yesterday’s ‘The Other Guys’ event in Madrid. I didn’t like most of that [...]