Prada Returns to Minimalist Roots for 1st Joint Collection

FILE PHOTO: The Prada store is shown in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, January 17, 2020. REUTERS/ Mike Blake/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The Prada store is shown in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, January 17, 2020. REUTERS/ Mike Blake/File Photo
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Prada Returns to Minimalist Roots for 1st Joint Collection

FILE PHOTO: The Prada store is shown in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, January 17, 2020. REUTERS/ Mike Blake/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The Prada store is shown in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, January 17, 2020. REUTERS/ Mike Blake/File Photo

Miuccia Prada went back to her trademark minimalist style for her first collection with Belgian designer Raf Simons, who joined the Italian fashion group as co-creative director in February.

The pair's Spring/Summer 2021 women's show was streamed live on Thursday for Milan's fashion week, where most collections are being presented digitally and without audiences due to coronavirus social distancing rules.

"It's a really strange situation," Prada said in a video after the show, where she and Simons answered questions from people around the world.

"But we have the occasion to really show the clothes, we can't see the real people, the public, but at least we hope you can enjoy and see the clothes better."

Models wore mostly black and white or pastel-colored vests, trousers and long skirts in simple, monochrome designs which Prada said were inspired by the idea of uniforms. Many clothes had round-shaped holes cut out of the fabric.

"Clothes are pared-back, refined, focused, without superfluous decoration: shell tops, straight pants, overcoats in industrial re-nylon," the brand said in a statement.

Simons, 52, said he had never expected to be, one day, co-designing a collection with Miuccia Prada, but that he was "extremely happy" with the result.

"Maybe it's harder as you have more dialogue, and that can also impact on the timing, but all in all I find it easier," he said when asked what it was like to jointly create a collection.

"Decision-making for me is strengthened when I know that Miuccia likes very much what I also like very much. Even if I am convinced, my decision is strengthened when I know that she too is convinced."



Nike to Launch New Women's Fitness Brand with Kim Kardashian's Skims

The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Nike (NKE) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (Reuters)
The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Nike (NKE) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (Reuters)
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Nike to Launch New Women's Fitness Brand with Kim Kardashian's Skims

The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Nike (NKE) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (Reuters)
The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Nike (NKE) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (Reuters)

Nike will launch a new women's activewear brand in the US this spring in partnership with Kim Kardashian-owned shapewear clothing company Skims, as CEO Elliott Hill works to bolster its portfolio to better compete with upstart brands.

Product innovation and a return to focus on its core sports roots have been at the forefront of Hill's mission to revive sales at Nike, which have been lagging strong growth at Hoka and New Balance, Reuters reported.

The company's bid to appeal to women, who made up about 40% of its customers in 2023, was evident in Nike's first Super Bowl ad in nearly three decades, featuring star women athletes including Jordan Chiles, Caitlin Clark, Sha'Carri Richardson, A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu.

Skims was launched in 2019 and is valued at around $4 billion. It has seen a strong demand for its shapewear.

Nike said on Tuesday the new brand, called NikeSKIMS, would include training apparel, footwear and accessories for women.

The first collection will be launched at some retail locations in the US as well as at NikeSKIMS' website. The brand would launch globally in 2026, expanding into more retail locations, as well as in the wholesale segment.

The brand would sit alongside other names under Nike's kitty, including Converse, Jordan, ACG and Nike SB.

Nike's shares were up 3% on Tuesday.