I'm defiitely not saying I don't like it, more that a part of me is disappointed that I can't use this iconic show as a benchmark for my whole spring and summer put together. Historically (and most notably last season), the Prada look is THE ONE. The big, huge show by which I reset my style clock and start seeing my hair and makeup philosophy in a whole new light. Veteran Prada artists Guido (hair) and Pat McGrath (make up) collaborate to constuct a thing of such great beauty that we journalists fall over ourselves to write about it, recreate it and then tell you all to. Remember Ladylike? That modern take on the classic updo that made us all madly collect hair accessories and rekindle our love earrings and perfect lipstick?
Spring Summer 2016? Well it's a look alright. A smack you in the mouth, make you question your inherent style-o-meter kind of a look, but it's most certainly doing its job because look - here we are all talking about it. Well done Miuccia, (and Pat, and Guido). Hats off.
Where I initially see something robotic and futuristic (no, it's not just the metallics, it's the shape of the hair, the sheen on the skin), Guido explains to me it's a nod to the seventies. So I was totally wrong there. It's the blunt bangs shape that does that for him. BUT, when you throw in the deconstructed undercut element to the hairline and sideburns, then the slicked nature of the fringe and crown, it's also an homage to the 90's skinhead. Ah yes, the toughness I can see.
So what of the makeup? Pat explained that Miuccia wanted something conservative but twisted, and as she so eloquently put it; 'what could be more subversive than a gold mouth?' No classic red here, although the alluring shape is there, the layers of theatrical cream make up frst, then gold lipstick on top, then gold pigment patted on top captrued the Milanese sun so beautifully outside that I was sold. Sign me up for the robotic-futuristic-70's-90's mouth immediately. I'm getting on board as soon as I can locate some theatrical cream makeup.
