Why did Prada SS 1995 stand out amidst its contemporaries?

Leaning heavily on this designer’s notion of “ugly chic”, this 90s collection stood out amidst its contemporaries, with its off-beat silhouettes and unconventional use of fabric.
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This Prada SS 1995 ready-to-wear collection features an unconventional take on nylon — a material, which has been associated with utilitarianism and the military, up until then. Miuccia Prada elevated this material to a luxury status by first, designing backpacks of nylon, and later, relying on it for her ready-to-wear collections.
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Instead of sticking to fabrics typically associated with luxury fashion (such as silk, satin, or cashmere), Prada turned to nylon. Using innovative fabric production techniques, she developed a special type of nylon, crafted of extremely fine threads. Not only did this make the material more expensive than silk, but also made it extremely difficult to master — it required up to four years of training.
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Prada SS 1995 show presents various garments, crafted of this signature material: dresses, skirts, suits. The overall essence of the show is luxurious and refined, reinforced by carefully-tailored silhouettes and monochromatic outfits.
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And all of it, every single look, is quintessentially a Prada look. Whether it’s one of the sheer, flowy dresses; belted A-line dresses; or skirt suits with strict lines and exquisite tailoring. Regardless of which look you examine, all of them present styles and techniques that Prada has coined over the years.
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For some, this collection is a turning point in the history of Prada. It’s a moment when Prada cemented her reputation for intellectual, concept-driven fashion by blending art, irony, and functionality at a time when other designers were focusing on aesthetics or sensuality. As a result, these nylon pieces became emblematic of the brand’s DNA and influenced how other designers thought about materials in luxury fashion.