
Milan Fashion Week never disappoints when it comes to bold, thought-provoking showcases, and Prada’s Fall/Winter 2025 menswear collection took center stage with a daring blend of artistry and rebellion, embodying the essence of resistance against AI-driven fashion norms. Co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons unveiled a collection that not only pushed sartorial boundaries but also addressed the pressing cultural and technological shifts shaping the modern world. From artificial intelligence to global conservatism, Prada’s latest offering was both a creative statement and a reflection of our challenging times.

“An expression of instinct. The Fall/Winter 2025 menswear collection by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons explores human nature, basic instincts, as a tool for fundamental human creativity. Unlearned reactions, automatic responses. Primitive urges.”
A Response to the Algorithm
“The world has become conservative,” declared Miuccia Prada backstage, a sentiment echoed throughout the collection’s unconventional designs. The namesake designer, known for her intellectual approach to fashion, admitted that the collection was an intentional reaction to “the first season of artificial intelligence.” Collaborating with Simons, the duo sought to create a wardrobe that resisted the homogenizing influence of algorithms and trend forecasting, embracing instead the unexpected. This philosophy was evident in the juxtaposition of materials, patterns, and silhouettes — including the accessories, which also defied convention.

“Romance shapes the collection – but it is the premise of romance as a movement, the elevation of emotion and passion above the rational. Contrived decisions are abandoned in favor of the truth and honesty of spontaneous choice. In the instinctual, a new sophistication and an intimate, savage elegance can be discovered.”
A Cinematic Runway Experience
The collection’s presentation further underscored its disruptive ethos. Models strutted across a two-level runway made of unfinished scaffolding, a stark contrast to the regal blue carpet beneath their feet. The soundtrack— Rossini’s “La gazza ladra” — and the dramatic, low-light cinematography were inspired by the late David Lynch, a nod to Simons’ love of film. The result was a visually arresting experience that felt both raw and theatrical, a perfect backdrop for the collection’s themes.

“The show space by AMO transforms the Fondazione Prada’s Deposito in another exploration of contrast. A raw industrial metal structure collides against tactile carpet, originally designed by Catherine Martin, the presence of each shifting and enriching our perception of the other. Within, a series of levels divide the space, contradicting the scale of the monumental hall, the shifting lighting and atmosphere echoing filmic scenes. Evoking intimacies – the closeness of a club – these become representative of places for the most direct of human instincts, our need to come together.”
Bridging Art and Commerce
Prada has long been celebrated for its ability to marry high fashion with cultural commentary, and this collection was no exception. While family-owned Prada has emerged as a leader in the luxury sector, Miuccia Prada remains deeply committed to using fashion as a medium for storytelling and social critique. The collection’s resistance to conformity was also a nod to Prada’s history of innovation. Prada’s independence allows it to take creative risks that resonate with audiences seeking authenticity in a rapidly changing world.

“Unpremeditated contrasts result in unexpected and seductive combinations – clothing a body through instinct, unbroken by constraint of reason. In dress, this leads to an urge for security, for intimacy. Cinematic references provoke universal memories, impulsively recalled. Natural and immediate gestures reflect our raw humanity. Shearling becomes a layer of sensual security, worn inside and out, and knitwear is adorned with metal symbols without specific meaning, like amulets – in a way, protecting us.”
Fashion for Challenging Times
Prada’s Fall/Winter 2025 menswear collection is more than just a lineup of striking garments; it’s a call to embrace individuality and defy the constraints of modern algorithms and societal norms. By pairing the primal with the modern and the traditional with the avant-garde, Prada and Simons have crafted a collection that feels both timely and timeless.
As we navigate an era defined by technological advancements and cultural shifts, Prada’s latest offering serves as a reminder that fashion can be a powerful tool for resistance, creativity, and self-expression. It’s not just about what we wear, but how we choose to wear it — and, in true Prada style, the message is clear: resist the algorithm, and embrace the unexpected.