Can You Act Like Prada?

Prada’s Spring/Summer 2025 womenswear campaign explores the provocative relationship between fashion and identity, posing the question: is it possible for identity to be as fluid and multifaceted as fashion itself? Starring the ever-versatile, Carey Mulligan, the campaign showcases the art of reinvention by emphasizing the many personas that exist within an individual. Through its daring examination of multiplicity, Prada reaffirms that its philosophy goes well beyond clothing—it’s about embodying the spirit of an ever-evolving world.

In this captivating campaign, Steven Meisel skillfully portrays Mulligan through a collection of bold portraits, each representing a different character. With each image that emerges, she transforms into a different person, embodying a limitless range of identities. In every portrayal, Mulligan encapsulates Prada’s spirit of spontaneity and individuality. Similar to fashion, she transcends classification, making each transformation a display that questions preconceived perceptions and encourages introspective reflection.

At its essence, Acts Like Prada views fashion as a means for transformation—an avenue for experimentation, growth, and the acceptance of different realities. Mulligan’s constantly evolving characters represent the liberation found in expressing oneself through fashion. Each item she dons transcends mere clothing; it serves as a vehicle for change, mirroring both the wearer’s perception of the world and the wider cultural movements that Prada adeptly portrays with detail and insight.

Acts Like Prada is a testament to the brand’s role as a cultural provocateur, unafraid to embrace contradiction and complexity. Mulligan’s performances serve as a reminder that fashion is dynamic—it’s an evolving entity that can inspire change. By honouring individuality and metamorphosis, Prada invites us to ask ourselves: can we also embody the spirit of Prada?

Image Credit: Prada