Mario Prada
Co-founder of Prada
Mario Prada was the Milanese entrepreneur who founded Prada with his brother Martino in 1913, opening a store for leather goods and travel articles in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The business later passed to his daughter Luisa and then to his granddaughter Miuccia Prada, who turned it into a global luxury group.
| Role | Co-founder of Prada |
|---|---|
| Died | 1958 |
| Founded | 1913, Milan |
| Co-founder | Martino Prada |
| Successors | Luisa Prada, then Miuccia Prada |
Who is Mario Prada?
Mario Prada, who died in 1958, was the founder of Prada. In 1913 he and his brother Martino opened Fratelli Prada, the Prada Brothers store, in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan's prestigious shopping arcade. The shop became a destination for wealthy customers looking for fine leather goods and travel articles.
Career
The first store sold leather goods, imported English steamer trunks and handbags, as well as travel accessories, beauty cases, jewellery and rare objects. The combination of quality materials, craftsmanship and an elegant setting helped Prada establish itself with Milan's upper class.
In 1919 the company was named an official supplier to the Italian Royal Household, which allowed it to incorporate the coat of arms of the House of Savoy into its logo.
- 1913: opens Fratelli Prada in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan
- 1919: named official supplier to the Italian Royal Household
- After 1958: his daughter Luisa Prada leads the company for almost two decades
- 1978: granddaughter Miuccia Prada takes over the company
Influence on the fashion business
Mario Prada built a specialised luxury retailer rather than a fashion house. According to the Prada Group's own account, the company's later transformation began in 1977, when Miuccia Prada's creativity met Patrizio Bertelli's entrepreneurial approach. Together they expanded the business into ready-to-wear, new brands and international retail, building on the reputation for quality leather goods and the historic Milan store that Mario had established.
The Prada Group continues to date its history from the opening of that first store in 1913, underlining how central Mario Prada's founding moment remains to the brand's story. The original store in the Galleria remains an important symbol of the brand's Milanese roots and of the continuity of family ownership across generations.
Why it matters
Mario Prada's story shows how many luxury groups began as specialist retailers serving a narrow, affluent clientele. The heritage he created, including the Galleria store and the royal warrant, became a valuable foundation for later reinvention. For fashion executives it is also a reminder that brand heritage often works best when it is combined with a willingness to change, as the company's later history under his descendants demonstrates.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Prada?
Prada was founded in 1913 by Mario Prada and his brother Martino, who opened Fratelli Prada in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. The store sold leather goods, steamer trunks and travel accessories.
How is Mario Prada related to Miuccia Prada?
Miuccia Prada is Mario Prada's granddaughter. After his death the company was led by his daughter Luisa, and Miuccia took over in 1978.