Have you ever wondered how luxury fashion brand Prada got its name? It’s a unique and interesting story that dates back to the early 1900s.
The Beginnings of Prada
In 1913, Mario Prada founded the brand in Milan, Italy as a leather goods shop called Fratelli Prada (Prada Brothers). The shop was known for selling high-quality leather products such as handbags, trunks, and shoes.
The Evolution of the Name
It wasn’t until Mario’s granddaughter, Miuccia Prada took over in the late 1970s that the brand began to evolve. Under her leadership, Prada expanded into clothing and accessories and gained worldwide recognition as a luxury fashion brand.
But where did the name “Prada” come from? Interestingly enough, it wasn’t Miuccia’s idea. The origins of the name date back to when Mario first started the company.
The Royal Connection
Legend has it that Mario was once an official supplier to the Italian royal family. In fact, he was awarded a royal warrant in 1919 which allowed him to display the House of Savoy’s coat of arms on his products.
It’s said that Mario was so proud of this distinction that he decided to change the name from Fratelli Prada to simply “Prada”. This allowed him to showcase his royal warrant more prominently on his products.
Conclusion
So there you have it – Prada got its name from its founder’s desire to showcase his connection to Italian royalty through his company’s branding. It’s an interesting piece of history that adds another layer of meaning to this iconic luxury fashion brand.