FASHION

Prada to Dress the First Woman to Walk on the Moon

Elvire Emptaz - Madame Figaro

18-October-2024

Prada to Dress the First Woman to Walk on the Moon

It's not just the devil who wears Prada. The first woman to set foot on the Moon will be dressed by the Italian brand. Prada has in fact developed a Space suit in collaboration with Axiom, a private space travel operator. It was in 2022 that NASA entrusted Axiom Space with the task of working on these spacesuits, in particular for the Artemis III mission, planned for September 2026.

Inspiration

The brand was approached for this lunar mission, the first since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, due to its exceptional expertise. While the practicality of the equipment was the top priority, aesthetic considerations were equally important. Prada was tasked with designing an outfit that would “visually inspire future space exploration.” The result is an elegant and ergonomic ensemble that promises to inspire generations, particularly young girls from diverse backgrounds. This mission aligns with NASA's commitment to sending the first woman and the first person of color to the Moon.

Expertise

Axiom engineers explained, during the presentation of the future Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan on October 16 that “Prada's expertise made it possible to use advanced technologies and innovative sewing methods to bridge the functionality of the outfit with its more aesthetically appealing white outer layer.” Although the collaboration between a luxury fashion house and a space agency may be surprising, it is not unprecedented. Last September, Pierre Cardin unveiled a lunar outfit designed for the European Space Agency. The conquest of the Moon will now also involve style.