Prada Architecture

Over the past few years I have visited more Prada and Miu Miu stores around the world then I can count. My intention, most frequently, is to browse the new collections and to pick out the most beautiful handbag, swing it over my shoulder, and study my improved reflection in the nearest full length mirror. However, I have found more then just fashion in these stores – I have found design and architecture!

Possibly the most famous Prada store is Prada Aoyama in Tokyo. It was designed in 2003 by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron best known for bringing us the Olympic Bird's Nest in Beijing. Prada Aoyama is six stories of diamond shaped glass panels; some flat, some concave, and some convex. The detail creates the illusion that the building is moving as you walk around it and also appears to magnify the clothes displayed behind the glass.

Prada Aoyama

When I visited the store it was April of last year and they were showing the Fall 2009 collection. Remember the fly-fishing boots with the shorts? That was a good collection. There was a lot to see and I visited every floor.

Prada Aoyama

Another big architecture name in the world of Prada and Miu Miu is Rem Koolhaas. Along with the settings of many Prada and Miu Miu runway shows, he is also responsible for the award winning Prada Soho in New York.

Prada Soho

And the newer Prada Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Both have the signature wide staircase that doubles as a museum-like stage for the clothes and shoes. Prada Soho has a huge ramp opposite the wide staircase and a narrower staircase adjacent to the ramp that leads to the men's collection. The women's collections are on the lower level on rows of moving walls that are affectionately referred to as coffins by the store's staff.

Prada Rodeo Drive

Prada Rodeo Drive

In Paris the temporary Prada store was designed by Roberto Baciocchi. He also designed the Prada Honolulu store.

Prada Paris

Prada Paris

And many of the Miu Miu stores. In Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Kyoto, the same Roberto Baciocchi design can be found. The color varies but the Miu Miu pattern is the same. These are two photos I took of the Miu Miu stores in Tokyo and Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Miu Miu Kowloon

Miu Miu Tokyo