Review: Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2024 Bridges Youth and Maturity with Unmistakable Elegance

Text by Ethan Hall

Miuccia Prada’s Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2024 collection, held in Palais d'Iéna, examines the dichotomy between dressing in childhood and adulthood, pulling from different periods of people's lives and how it is translated into their clothes. In line with this theme, people of all ages came down the runway. Miuccia Prada says in the show notes, 'This collection is about life – about experiences, expressing that through clothes. There is a whole space between childhood and adulthood that is fascinating to me – it is when your character is formed. This is a collection about those personal, individual moments.'

The concept of youth is captured perfectly with some of the aspects in this collection, for instance, the vastly oversized gloves - just as gloves feel when you are younger, with huge fingers and the glove engulfing your arm as well. Furthermore, the use of mismatching slipper-like shoes in the looks also represents the carefree abandon when throwing on clothes in your youth, similar to how some of the looks were composed of the most garish colors thrown together. For instance, the look below is composed of glaring colors like hot pink, yellow mustard, cactus green, and bright orange, which probably mimics the kind of color coordination within many of our youths.

Miuccia also explores the different facets of adult life and the garments expected to be worn through these different periods. The inclusion of the double denim look with low waist jeans is one of the looks that bridge the gap between youth and adulthood as the low waist jeans allude to the early adulthood fun associated with them.

In contrast to the youthful fun-loving looks, we also see very sober, post-war, grey looks with blazers and pencil skirts as well as very managerial working woman looks. Additionally, the collection explores age through the different types of dresses worn, for instance, gold, straight dresses contrast with very sleek chic dresses that show off the female body and curves.

A flower motif is seen abundantly through this collection in two different forms - a flower print and a metal flower adorned on many garments. The flower prints are seen most frequently on brightly colored, voluminous skirts, which fall like a flower itself.

Miuccia Prada has delivered again a collection made for women, to empower women. Prada aims to redefine 'girlishness' from a pejorative term tied to age into a universal expression of rebellion, freedom, and individuality. Prada has perfectly channeled this message through this collection. By catering to a lifetime of women, Miu Miu has proved to be a timeless style, and the Miu Miu woman has been proved to be ageless.