The Ask
Explore the approaches luxury brands take in sourcing, distributing, and communicating their products.
The Process
Prada’s History
Founded in 1913 in Milan by Mario Prada, Prada started out by selling luxury handbags, accessories, travel trunks, jewelry and more. The turning point for Prada came in 1970, when Mario’s granddaughter, Miuccia Prada, partnered with Patrizio Bertelli to lay the foundations for Prada to become a fashion business. Prada released its first women’s clothing collection in 1988, and menswear in 1993. Today the Prada Group, still managed by Miuccia, is composed of Prada, Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe, and Pasticceria Marchesi.
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Gucci’s History
Guccio Gucci founded Gucci in 1921 in Florence, Italy as a small luggage company. After the passing of Guccio Gucci in 1953, there was conflict within the Gucci family regarding who would take over. Eventually Maurizio Gucci (Guccio’s son) took over, and pushed out his uncle and cousins from ownership, but then he struggled with the ownership by himself. Then in the 1980’s the next generation of Gucci’s had control. Eventually the Gucci family lost control of their company and in 1989 Investcorp acquired half of the company. Now Gucci is owned by the French luxury group Kering.
Prada’s Financial Figures
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Gucci’s Financial Figures
Prada’s Product Categories & Design Strategies
Originally focused on men's and women's leather goods, Prada has broadened its offerings to include clothing and footwear, and now encompasses accessories, jewelry, fragrance, and beauty products.
Prada is renowned for its luxurious design aesthetic, characterized by clean lines and minimalist designs infused with contemporary elements. Miuccia Prada's creations are meticulously crafted, delicately executed, and epitomize the essence of the Italian fashion house.
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Gucci’s Product Categories & Design Strategies
Gucci offers a diverse range of products catering to men, women, and children, including footwear, apparel, accessories, luggage, and beauty products. Additionally, Gucci manufactures household items and operates Gucci Gardens, a museum located in Florence, Italy, showcasing a collection of pieces and the brand's rich history.
Gucci strives to maintain the highest quality luxury items. Their classic logo is a double G, green-red-green stripe, and a bumble bee. Gucci is known to be slightly more edgy/busy.
The Outcome
Prada’s Sourcing Strategies
Gucci’s Sourcing Strategies
This project was completed alongside my teammates at Santa Reparata International School of the Arts: Saniyya Giddens, Nicole Moreno, and Sammi Rubinstein.