Prada

Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada in Milan, Prada began as a leather goods shop and swiftly morphed into the fashion world’s epitome of intellectual luxury and esoteric chic. Known for its unyielding commitment to modernism and a penchant for making the mundane look extraordinary, Prada's defining moments include the revolutionary 1995 debut of the nylon backpack, which turned a utilitarian fabric into a must-have accessory for the fashion cognoscenti. With a valuation of about $10 billion, Prada’s prestige is as high as its sartorial stakes, but not without its fair share of scandalous missteps. The 2018 “Prada Primes” collection faced backlash over racially insensitive designs, underscoring the brand’s occasional detours into controversy. Today, Miuccia Prada—who has helmed the creative vision since the 1970s—alongside co-CEO Patrizio Bertelli, continues to steer the brand through a fashion landscape that both adores and scrutinizes it. Prada remains a symbol of high-concept fashion that challenges norms with a mix of intellectual flair and occasionally perplexing design choices.