This week, Prada and Sotheby’s unveiled a selection of highlights from «Tools of Memory», an online auction to raise funds for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and its efforts to safeguard learning for students around the world in the face of the unprecedented disruption caused by COVID-19. At the peak of the pandemic, school closures to contain its spread interrupted the education of more than 1.5 billion children and youth – 90% of the world’s students – disproportionately impacting girls and women, for whom education is often a lifeline.
Prada will donate its proceeds raised in this auction to specifically benefit UNESCO’s new campaign entitled Keeping girls in the picture and their Global Education Coalition’s Gender Flagship, which has been leading collaborative efforts to promote the continuity of learning during closures and ensure a safe return to school for all women everywhere.
ITEM FEATURED IN AUCTION: GALLERIA SAFFIANO LEATHER TOTE – IN YELLOW, RED, BLUE, GREEN – AUTHOR: MIUCCIA PRADA
An online sale like no other, every item featured is an original piece from the Prada F/W Men’s and Women’s fashion shows, including one-of-a-kind garments worn by the models, photographic prints of candid moments backstage, polaroid, seat cards and invitations, objects from the runway décor, and vinyl with the accompanying music for both presentations by Frédéric Sanchez.
ITEM FEATURED IN AUCTION: ANTI-HERO STATUE, MEN’S SHOW CENTERPIECE – PAINTED WOOD, 370 CM HEIGHT – AUTHOR: AMO/REM KOOLHAAS
The sale features 72 lots in total and will open for bidding on Sotheby’s website from 2-15 October. Pop-up teaser exhibitions will also be staged at Sotheby’s in London and New York in the lead up to the sale. Debuted in January and February this year, Prada’s F/W 2020 shows transformed the grand hall of the Deposito of Fondazione Prada into two piazzas, designed by research and design studio AMO. An equestrian statue and a representation of the Greek Titan Atlas designed by Rem Koolhaas formed the centrepieces of the Men’s and Women’s shows respectively, and will now appear as highlights of the auction.
ITEM FEATURED IN AUCTION: CARNATION PRINT ORGANZA DRESS – WORN BY LICETT MORILLO – AUTHOR: MIUCCIA PRADA
From layered fringes to deconstructed pleats, geometric prints, knitwear and shearling-lined outerwear, «Tools of Memory» features over 40 looks from the house’s F/W 2020 presentations. Comprising the clothing, shoes, and accessories worn by the models only for fittings and on the catwalk, each outfit is presented as an individual lot. Further items include unique garments, footwear and eyewear, handbags and jewellery, which will not be available to purchase in Prada’s stores but will be offered exclusively here.
ITEM FEATURED IN AUCTION: BEADED FRINGE EMBROIDERY DRESS – ITEM NOT FEATURED IN THE SHOW – AUTHOR: MIUCCIA PRADA
A one-of-a-kind pastel blue dress with an embellished beaded fringe neckline also joins the line-up. Making its debut appearance, the dress was originally created for the show but the same prototype in a different colour featured on the final catwalk.
ITEM FEATURED IN AUCTION: PRE-SHOW PHOTOGRAPH OF GIGI HADID AND RIANNE VAN ROMPAEY – LARGE FORMAT FINE ART PRINT – AUTHOR: DANIEL ARNOLD
Photographic prints by Daniel Arnold, Phil Meech and model Gigi Hadid capture moments before and after each presentation backstage. Totems to the season, these shots as well as polaroid records of the models Kaia Gerber and Mensah Benjamin’s fittings, immortalise the backstage process and on-stage performance of the fashion experience.
ITEM FEATURED IN AUCTION: PRE-SHOW PHOTOGRAPH OF BANGALI DRAMMEH – LARGE FORMAT FINE ART PRINT – AUTHOR: DANIEL ARNOLD
Detailed information about the online auction can be found on sothebys.com as well as on prada.com.
POP UP EXHIBITION DATES AT SOTHEBY’S
London 16-23 September
New York 18-22 September
LoL, Sandra
ITEM FEATURED IN AUCTION: ATLAS STATUE, WOMEN’S SHOW CENTERPIECE – PAINTED WOOD, 370 CM HEIGHT – AUTHOR: AMO/REM KOOLHAAS
Photos: Courtesy of Prada and UNESCO
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