Prada Handbags and Designs

Prada handbags

Prada handbags are both exquisite and luxurious. They are a modern day status symbol that women all over the world have fallen in love with. As well as handbags, Prada manufactures elegantly designed shoes and clothing. Gaining popularity in the early 1990's, the reputation of the company has done nothing but increase and expand. Manufactured in Italy, Prada products represent class, style and high fashion. Designer stores around the globe allow customers to enjoy and admire their beautiful designs.

Prada is an Italian designer company that makes handbags, shoes, accessories, luggage and hats. All of the products from the Prada company are manufactured in Italy. The originality in Prada designs made it one of the most influencial fashion houses. By the 1990's, the brand had become one of the premium status symbols.

The company Prada was formed in 1913 in Milan, Italy. Miuccia Bianchi Prada, the youngest granddaughter of the company founder, Mario Prada, and her husband Patrizio Bertelli now own and run the company. In 2001, she was listed in Forbes Magazine as one of the richest people in the world.

It was Miuccia Prada that brought the company to the attention of the world. In 1989, she launched a women's ready-to-wear collection that became popular because of the basic colors, clean lines and opulent fabrics used in their designs. She was famous for creating dresses that had dropped waistlines and narrow belts. The colors she used were basic blacks, browns, grays, cream and green. Working class women loved them. The classic looks brought prestige to anyone who wore them.

With Patrizio as CEO of the company the expansion of their empire began. In past years some of the well known acquisitions were shares in the Gucci group, Louis Vuitton, Helmut Lang, Church & Co. and Fendi. They even ventured into the skin care product line. In 2007, Prada also went into the cell phone market and came out with the LG Prada KE850, retailing at $800. With a keen sense of business, Bertelli predicts that by the year 2010 the Prada revenues will increase to $5 billion dollars.

Prada has hired talented architects such as Herzog & de Meuron and Rem Koolhaas to design the stores that house their products. The Prada boutique in Milan, Italy is adorned with beautiful curved windows and ornate artistic designs embedded in stone work. The Prada name is displayed in gold letters against a smooth black finished background contributing to the image of high fashion.

You will find Prada stores in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Some of the famous places in America that have Prada stores are in the popular vacation spot, Honolulu, Hawaii. There are two Prada stores in Hawaii, one in the popular beach resort, Waikiki and one in the one of the largest shopping centers in the world, The Ala Moana Shopping Center. Their New York store is located on 5th Avenue, one of the most prestigious shopping streets on the planet. In California, you'll find Prada stores in the famous Beverly Hills and in the elite shopping district of San Francisco. No matter where you go, you will find people carrying Prada handbags or at least admiring Prada products.