Mario Prada founded the fashion house that became Prada in 1913.
Mario Prada opened a luxury goods shop in Milan, Italy, beginning the company’s history as a retailer of travel goods, leather accessories, and imported products. The business was originally known as Fratelli Prada, meaning “Prada Brothers,” because Mario worked with his brother Martino.
Prada later developed into an internationally known fashion house under the leadership of Miuccia Prada, Mario’s granddaughter. She joined the family business in the 1970s and helped transform it through minimalist clothing, innovative materials, and influential accessories. The black nylon bags associated with the modern brand became especially important to its identity.
The 1913 founding date refers to Mario Prada’s original Milan business, not to Miuccia Prada’s later creative direction. It is also distinct from the launch of Miu Miu, the separate label Miuccia Prada introduced in 1993.