Prada Nylon Handbags are Back in Fashion

Miuccia Prada made a bold statement in 1984 when she introduced the iconic nylon bag. This Italian designer was just about to take over the family business that had been producing leather goods and specialized in trunks and luggage. The brand Prada was once a favorite among the super-wealthy. However, the brand was outshined in the decade of disco by Versace and Gucci who were shaking up Italian luxury fashion. Prada, the designer wanted something else.

In an interview, she stated that “Back then I didn’t really enjoy anything I saw. It all looked too stale and bourgeois. I wanted to find the exact opposite of what was out there.”

Pocono nylon was an industrial fabric used for military products like parachutes, tents, and other textiles. It was manufactured in large quantities and not by hand. It was dyed and contained chemicals. It didn’t feel or look as expensive as leather. It was not precious. It was practical. Nylon was the ultimate luxury product. Prada loved nylon.

The designer said that nylon suddenly looked more interesting than couture fabrics. “I introduced it to the catwalk, and it challenged and even changed the traditional notion of luxury.”

The nylon bag she rebelled against was called “a post-modern parody” of the Chanel bag. It was a backpack and not a boring designer handbag like Prada loathed. It was unisex, but not very ladylike. It was also branded with a small triangle logo, rather than a monogram.

Prada’s nylon bag was a big hit on the runway and generated a lot of business for the fashion company. Prada’s bag was a hit with wealthy youth who didn’t believe the same old wealth myths as their parents. The bag was a statement of anti-luxury and was sold at luxury prices.

Prada was a pioneer in nylon use throughout the ’90s and ’00s. The synthetic fabric was used across a variety of bags as well as the short-lived, but highly successful, Prada Sport athleisure line.

Today, you can find nearly anything made in nylon at the boutiques of this Italian brand: dresses, jackets, socks, sneakers, and many other items. The nylon bag is now a common luxury accessory. Prada, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga have all featured accessories made from this man-made material. This is no doubt due to the success of Prada’s Re-Nylon collection.

Econyl is a recycled nylon form that was created from plastic waste found in the ocean. The 2019 collection was introduced. This material is a symbol of fashion industry pride, as it has been compelled to be sustainable to meet the needs of eco-conscious buyers.

Nylon’s utilitarian and technical connotations make it a favorite among streetwear consumers, another group luxury fashion brands are wooing.

The nylon bag trend is, for the most part, just that, a trend. Fashion has been following a two-decade cycle and considered everything from the aughts “in” for the time being. This is evident everywhere you look from street style photos on Instagram to your TikTok account. You won’t be disappointed if you are looking for a nylon bag because Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa and Kylie Jenner all own nylon bags.

• Prada ‘Signaux’ nylon backpack

Prada didn’t just redesign its backpack using Econyl. These cryptic graphic prints are also a Raf Simons’ design signature. Belgian designer and co-creative director of Italian fashion brand Prada has made it a point to emphasize Prada’s triangle logo which is printed across the bag.

• Dior messenger bag

This Dior bag is a great example of luxury fashion’s shift towards nylon. Kim Jones first introduced the small messenger bag that can be carried across your shoulder in the Fall/Winter 2019 menswear collection. It was clearly inspired by the iconic belt bag from streetwear, and has been given haute couture treatment with Dior Cannage quilting that can be seen on the Dior Lady handbags.

• Balenciaga Wheel shoulder bag

This versatile, practical and functional bag by Balenciaga reflects nylon’s roots in utility. It is a great way to get on the streetwear trend while still being practical. It is made in Italy with an embossed logo. It can be worn with a Balenciaga shirt and sporty sneakers.

• Givenchy Mini4G light backpack

Givenchy’s creative director Matthew M. Williams introduced the Mini 4G backpack to their collection. The bag shows Matthew M. Williams’ love for hardware, with the removable chains and the 4G patch at the front. It is also made from a mix of satin nylon and nylon to give it that unique sheen.

• Alexander McQueen “Graffiti” shoulder bag

Alexander McQueen’s Graffiti capsule collection features this shoulder bag. It is engraved with the McQueen logo using a brushstroke design. The bag features leather trims and a short chain strap. This gives it the tension between elegantness and elegance that Sarah Burton, creative director at British brand, has created.

• Longchamp “Le Pliage Green” shoulder tote bag

Prada isn’t the only fashion brand to have adapted Econyl. Longchamp’s Le Pliage Green bags, made of recycled nylon fabric by the brand, was launched in March 2018. This marked the beginning of the brand’s commitment to use the material in all its bags by 2022.