Several high fashion brands are now offering a "see now, buy now" retail model in which they debut new items on the runway that are available for purchase immediately after the show, and Prada is the latest to join the movement.
While it has been a debate in the fashion industry on whether or not this is an idea everyone can get on board with, brands like Burberry, Tom Ford, Vetements, Rebecca Minkoff, Tommy Hilfiger and now Prada are all for unveiling their products to customers with as little wait time as possible, according to Fashionista. The executives at French fashion's governing organization, the Fédération Française de la Couture du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode, voted unanimously against the new "see now, buy now" system as they believe the wait between runway shows and releases creates "desire," but Prada decided to see if this was a method that would work for them anyway.
On Thursday, during the Fall 2016 runway show in Milan, the Italian fashion brand debuted two new bags that would be available at select Prada stores in Milan, Paris and London and on the official website on Friday, Feb. 26. The styles will also be available in New York on March 4 at Prada's Broadway, Madison Ave and 5th Ave locations.
The two bags available, which both have thick shoulder straps, are called the Pionniere, which is a round-shaped bag with brass details, and the Cahier, which was designed with Saffiano leather and bronze metals, according to Hollywood Reporter. The Pionniere is on sale for $1,940 and the Cahier for $2,660.
Since Prada's sales growth has been declining lately, the brand seems to be counting on their iconic handbags and leather goods rather than their clothes to try and revive the label, according to Quartz. During the Fall 2016 runway show, there were more handbags than the previous shows. Of the 52 new clothing looks in the show, there were almost as many bags, compared to last season when there were less than 40 bags on the runway and less than 30 the season before.
A photo posted by Prada (@prada) on Feb 26, 2016 at 6:25am PST
