Credit: Prada
Prada’s Spring Summer 2025 collection had already made headlines since its first appearances on the catwalk thanks to eye-catching details such as fake reflections and mirrors. Now that it has finally landed in boutiques, we can better understand the craftsmanship and research that have always distinguished the maison. Here are three treatments on “used” effect leather that struck us:
CRAQUELÉ EFFECT SUEDE
Made on suede calfskin, this process gives the leather a lived-in look, thanks to a craquelé effect treatment that creates a network of micro-fractures. In this case, we start from a light base, a warm beige, on which a darker coat of color is applied. During drying, the surface layer breaks, revealing the leather surface underneath. The result? A refined and material texture, which gives an almost pictorial effect.
WORN EFFECT FUR
Among the most surprising materials in the collection is also calfskin fur, treated to obtain a “used” effect. The process is based on the contrast between the different heights of the fur: the longer one is left in relief, while the shorter one is shaved following an irregular pattern. This results in a three-dimensional texture, which adds a unique touch to the fur.
VINTAGE-EFFECT LEATHER WITH METALLIC APPLICATIONS
One of the protagonists of the collection is certainly the vintage-effect calfskin skirt. The surface has been treated with a light dye, deliberately applied in an uneven way, to simulate the natural wear and tear of time. But the real focal point is the metal applications, distributed over the entire surface and fixed with small tone-on-tone leather loops, giving life to a garment with great visual impact.
