Old habits die hard, and a portion of my first ever pay check was spent on an item that radically changed me. A pair of ’60s-inspired Prada trousers in a pink, black and beige geometric print from the pre-fall 2010 collection, which I sourced during the early days of Vestiaire Collective. I have always been drawn to the mod aesthetic, so they became my entire personality for quite some time.
That purchase marked the start of my vintage Prada obsession. What’s not to love? Mrs Prada’s unexpected colour combinations and mix of prints, clashing textures and unconventional take on sexiness captured me in a way that High Street fashion could never. The more I read about the brain behind the Prada universe, like the fact that she was part of the Communist Party and marched for women’s rights in the 1970s, the more I became fascinated by her clothes.
Over the years, I have collected around 50 pieces from various Prada collections and worn them at important moments of my life, from job interviews to birthdays. For my wedding rehearsal dinner, I wore a pair of white floral trousers from the autumn/winter 2003 collection, which I loved because of the way I felt wearing them: happy, comfortable, myself. I even wore another pair of printed Prada trousers from autumn/winter 2012 to walk the pyramids in Egypt. Just a couple of weeks ago I was hopping on a rickshaw in India wearing an orange and pink striped skirt from the spring/summer 2011 collection. This summer I’m going to dance all night in Ibiza wearing a characteristic citrus green skirt from spring/summer 2019.
Two of my favourite collections are the spring and autumn collections from 2017: the embellished cardigans, the feathers, the mixed patterns and colours – the perfect combination of joy and elegance. I’m still on the hunt for this stand-out set and can only dream of wearing this feathered top and checked skirt one day.
I mostly find these pieces online (thanks eBay, 1stDibs.com, Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal) at a surprisingly good price. As most collectors do, I have alarms set for specific items, like this embellished pyjama set in the loveliest pastel yellow. I would wear it with some trainers and a big trench to run errands around London.
There’s a certain thrill of hunting down a piece you’re completely obsessed with. My most precious item in my collection is a lipstick-printed skirt that was first seen on the spring/summer 2000 runway. It’s an iconic piece that was on my wishlist for too long – I snatched it for less than £200 a few years ago. A real bargain.
Alongside my Prada obsession, I’m also currently in the market for some autumn/ winter 2015 Dries Van Noten, more Maison Margiela and a good Balenciaga blazer. Maybe some Pucci and Vivienne Westwood, too. What I love about vintage is that it allows you to curate an eclectic wardrobe filled with pieces of fashion history, and one that truly reflects your way of living and seeing the world.
As I said before, better dead than plain.