1996 Prada Runway Beige Safari Suit Sleeveless Top and Skirt

This two-piece ensemble was designed as part of Prada’s Fall 1996 collection. Vogue said retrospectively of the collection that it “managed in that inimitable Prada way to destabilize stereotypes and assumptions about propriety, class, gender, and beauty.” Tailored from a thick beige synthetic cloth with a weighty, smooth feel, the top is cut to a tunic-length and is sleeveless. It is styled like the safari suits so popular in the 1970s, but given a minimal 1990s spin. It has a pointed, button-down collar and fastens along the front with tortoiseshell plastic buttons. The panelled construction is broken by large angular patch pockets at the hips. There is a coordinating belt with a large circular tortoiseshell plastic buckle. The skirt is tailored from the same fabric. It is cut to a high-waist mini-skirt shape with a single pleat at the front. It fastens at the left hip with a hidden zip and hook-and-eye. Both pieces are lined with a sheer tonal satin.

This archival ensemble is in excellent vintage condition with no issues. It is made from 100% Polyester and labelled an Italian size 40 but it runs a size smaller and is better suited to a UK 6 or US 0-2. The fabric has some stretch so please allow a small degree of flexibility on the below measurements.

MEASUREMENTS TOP

BUST - 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST - 28 in. (71 cm)

HIP - 34 in. (86 cm)

LENGTH - 26 in. (66 cm)

MEASUREMENTS SKIRT

WAIST - 24 in. (61 cm)

HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)

LENGTH - 18 in. (46 cm)