Prada ideas

In the WSJ today, there’s an interview with Miuccia Prada, on the subject of why so many women are “squeamish about fashion.” Prada claims that at one time she thought fashion was “stupid” but eventually changed her mind.

Ms. Prada has come to terms with her profession only of late. “I’ve recently re-evaluated my job,” she said. “I’ve realized that fashion is a very powerful instrument that…allows you to transmit ideas and shape opinion.” ….

Ms. Prada doesn’t have a signature style, like Tom Ford’s dripping-in-sex-appeal look or Valentino Garavani’s Oscar-night elegance. But her attitude is clear: I think therefore I wear.

That’s why she scoffs at those who fall victim to logos instead of developing their own styles. “Buying a $5,000 handbag just because it’s a status symbol is a sign of weakness,” Ms. Prada said. “Daring to wear something different takes effort. And being elegant isn’t easy. You have to study it, like cuisine, music and art.”

Well, a couple of things. I’ve read this point before, that fashion can “transmit ideas.” I wish the interviewer would have asked what seems like the obvious follow-up question: Like what?

At one point there’s some discussion of ideas about beauty (“I want to reintroduce the concept of beauty — a new sense of beauty”), which is fine, but is that it?

I’m prepared to accept that beauty is a reasonable thing about which to have ideas. But the implication that there’s some kind of intellectual bravery in this, and that somehow beauty is a concept that society just doesn’t think about enough, strikes me as absurd. But I guess the whole premise of the interview strikes me as absurd. I don’t see a big crisis out there in fashion being underrated, and not being focused on enough. As you go through your day today, see if anything makes you think, “Wow, this society is just way too focused on science, economic policy, and civic engagement. People really should spend more time thinking about fashion.” See how often it strikes you that fashion is really underrated.
To be clear, I’m not attacking anybody for thinking about fashion. What I’m questioning is whether, say, Prada fans are some kind of embattled underdogs who need defending.

Finally, I’m amused by Prada’s comment that: “Buying a $5,000 handbag just because it’s a status symbol is a sign of weakness.” Keep that in mind next time you’re spending $5,000 on a Prada handbag (or perhaps buying a brand-new Prada phone). Make sure you’re not doing it because you’re a brand weakling. Make sure you’re doing it because of how hard you’re thinking.