Have you ever noticed how you can absolutely love two things, but for completely different reasons?

 

 

Prada and Miu Miu - they're connected. Most people don’t know that. They share the same creative mind, and they're both Italian. But they have very different personalities.

 

Prada is just like, an effortlessly put together look – classic, bold. Miu Miu? It is putting unexpected into the mix, a twist on elegance – an injection of fun.

And the interesting thing? Both come from the imagination of the same woman, Miuccia Prada.

 

I'm not about to pretend I spend my days wandering around in designer shoes. Life isn’t like that for most people. I'm a mum of two, constantly in chaos and sports games - and real life has a habit of getting in the way of even the best-laid plans. Yes my bag collection is my special love – but my real life doesn’t always reflect that!

 

I've always enjoyed fashion but I really think it has to fit daily life – not the other way around. Having lived in Hong Kong for nearly 20 years, I experienced designer brands in a rather different way from how I do now, living in New Zealand.

 

Hong Kong has such a different pace and atmosphere. Fashion is everywhere, the shopping scene is enormous, and designer labels feel much more accessible simply because they're part of the everyday environment. You see a much wider mix of styles, and there's a certain energy around getting dressed and going out. Also – for most of those years – it was before having kids, so my everyday life was in the office and out for dinners. Not so much after little ones arrive!

 

Here in New Zealand where I currently live, life feels considerably more laid-back by comparison. We kiwis – no matter how stylish we are - tend to dress for the life we're actually living — and that might mean a coffee with a friend, a walk, a family outing or a casual lunch rather than a day spent navigating a busy city.

 

Of course, you can find beautiful designer fashion in New Zealand, too. But the way we live can influence how we think about it, how often we wear it and what we want it to do for us.

 

These days, I'm just as interested in whether a gorgeous handbag would fit into my actual day as I am in how lovely it looks!

 

Which got me thinking about Prada and Miu Miu. How can two brands with such a close connection feel so different? And, more importantly, which one would you gravitate towards?

 

Let's have a look.

 

First, how are these two related?

 

A little background, because it's actually quite interesting.

 

Prada began in Milan in 1913, originally selling luxury travel goods and leather accessories. Fast-forward several decades, and Miuccia Prada took the family business in a new direction, turning Prada into one of the most influential names in fashion.

 

Then, in 1993, she introduced Miu Miu. The name was her own family nickname, and the new label gave her the freedom to experiment with a different side of fashion.

 

And that's where things get interesting.

 

Think of Prada as one side of Miuccia's personality and Miu Miu as another. One can be understated and thoughtful; the other can be playful, unpredictable and just a little bit cheeky.

 

Neither is trying to be the other. And thank goodness for that, because fashion would be rather boring if everyone liked exactly the same things!

 

Prada: for the woman who likes to keep things effortlessly stylish

 

Let's talk Prada first.

 

I think there's something quite clever about a brand that doesn't always need to shout to get noticed. Prada can be understated, but that doesn't mean it's dull. Quite the opposite, actually.

 

Imagine a lovely pair of tailored trousers, a simple knit, some gorgeous shoes and a handbag that pulls the whole outfit together. Nothing too fussy, nothing trying desperately to impress anyone. It just works.

 

That's the appeal of Prada.

 

And I suppose, as I've got older, I appreciate the idea of buying something because I genuinely love it, rather than because it's the latest thing everyone is talking about. Although I wouldn't rule out being tempted by a particularly lovely handbag. I'm only human!

 

Let's talk handbags! (I wish everyone said that to me every morning)

 

Prada has some wonderfully different handbag styles, but one of the things I find interesting is how the brand has made nylon such an important part of its identity.

 

Now, nylon might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of luxury, but Prada helped change that. Suddenly, a practical material could be fashionable, desirable and surprisingly versatile.

 

A Prada nylon shoulder bag or backpack can be perfect for everyday wear. It's relaxed, modern and doesn't need a special occasion to come out of the wardrobe.

 

Then you have the leather handbags, structured styles and elegant top-handle bags. These have a rather different feel — lovely with a blazer, a dress or even jeans when you want to look as though you've made a bit of an effort.

 

And, of course, there's that recognisable triangle motif.

 

I do like the idea of a handbag that looks beautiful but can actually be used. There's something rather pointless about owning something gorgeous if you're too worried about using it!

 

Perhaps that's the mum in me talking. When you've spent years juggling family life, you learn to appreciate things that work in the real world.

 

So, who is the Prada handbag woman?

 

Perhaps she's the woman who wants a bag that works with more than one outfit. Perhaps she likes things simple but appreciates a clever design. Or perhaps she simply knows what she likes and doesn't feel the need to follow every fashion trend that comes along.

 

She might be heading to work, meeting a friend for lunch or travelling somewhere lovely. Whatever she's doing, she wants her bag to fit into her life rather than dictate it.

 

And let's be honest, a handbag that looks good and is actually useful is a rather wonderful combination.

 

In a nutshell: Prada is polished, clever, versatile and quietly confident.

 

And no, you don't need to have a perfectly organised wardrobe or a glamorous lifestyle to appreciate it. A good handbag doesn't care whether your day involves a business meeting or a trip to the supermarket!

 

Miu Miu: for the woman who likes to have a little fun

 

Now, let's change the mood a bit.

 

If Prada is the woman who has everything beautifully under control, Miu Miu is the one who might suggest doing something completely different just because she feels like it.

 

And I rather like that.

 

Miu Miu has a playful side. It's feminine without always being predictable, and it takes familiar things and gives them a little twist. Sometimes it's the shape, sometimes the details, and sometimes it's simply the way a piece is styled.

 

It's fashion that doesn't take itself quite so seriously.

 

Which, in my opinion, is no bad thing.

 

Miu Miu handbags: a little more personality, please!

 

Miu Miu handbags can be a lot of fun. Depending on the style, you'll find compact shoulder bags, top-handle bags, quilted designs, soft leather shapes and distinctive details that make you look twice.

 

These are bags for someone who enjoys a little character in what she wears.

 

Perhaps she loves a classic outfit but wants one thing that makes it feel different. Perhaps she's the sort of person who spots a gorgeous bag and immediately starts imagining all the ways she could wear it.

 

Or perhaps she's simply tired of everything looking the same.

 

A small Miu Miu shoulder bag with jeans and a simple top can give an outfit a completely different feel. A more structured design can look lovely with tailoring, while a playful detail can make an otherwise ordinary outfit feel much more personal.

 

And here's something worth remembering: you don't have to dress head to toe in Miu Miu to enjoy it.

 

In fact, sometimes one interesting bag is all you need.

 

Who says your accessories have to be sensible all the time? They can be beautiful, practical and a little bit fun, too.

 

In a nutshell: Miu Miu is playful, expressive, a little unexpected and full of personality.

 

And sometimes, that's exactly what an outfit needs.

 

So, which one are you?

 

Here's where you might have to make a little confession to yourself.

 

Are you a Prada woman, a Miu Miu woman, or a bit of both?

 

If you love beautifully considered designs, versatile handbags, classic loafers and pieces that work with just about everything, Prada might be calling your name.

 

If you prefer bags with a little more character, love a gorgeous pair of ballet flats or Mary Janes, and enjoy adding an unexpected twist to your outfits, Miu Miu might be more your thing.

 

But here's the catch: you don't actually have to choose.

 

You can love the simplicity of a Prada bag and the playfulness of Miu Miu shoes. You can be understated one day and feel like trying something a little different the next.

 

We're allowed to change our minds, after all. Especially when it comes to handbags!

 

And neither brand belongs to just one type of woman. These are simply different ways to express your own style.

 

Can you wear Prada and Miu Miu together?

 

Of course you can!

 

A streamlined Prada handbag could look lovely with a pair of playful Miu Miu flats. Equally, a distinctive Miu Miu bag could be just the thing to liven up a simple outfit with classic shoes.

 

You don't need everything to match perfectly. Sometimes it's much more interesting when it doesn't.

 

My only suggestion? If you've got one piece that's doing all the talking, let the rest of the outfit have a little quiet time.

 

A statement bag, simple shoes and your favourite jeans can be every bit as stylish as a carefully planned outfit.

 

And if you put something on and love how it looks, that's probably a much better guide than any fashion rule.

 

Two brands, one designer, and plenty of personality

 

What I love about the Prada and Miu Miu story is that it reminds us fashion doesn't have to fit neatly into one little box.

 

Both brands come from the same creative mind, but they've developed their own identities. Prada gives us thoughtful design, innovative materials and that lovely understated appeal. Miu Miu gives us a more playful take on fashion, with unexpected details and a willingness to do things a little differently.

 

And somewhere between the two, there's probably a handbag or pair of shoes that feels just right for you.

 

Fancy a little look for yourself?

 

Explore the Prada collection at Authentic New and the Miu Miu collection at Authentic New to discover designer handbags and shoes in two very different styles.

 

Because some days call for timeless and understated. Other days call for a little mischief.

 

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with having room in your wardrobe for both!

 

That’s what I am going to tell my husband now that the Christmas countdown is starting 😊

 

With ever-aspirational style and hand-bag love,

Olivia – Authentic New