PRADASPHERE

Prada has always been considered as one of the most iconic and luxurious Italian brands in history. Everyone lusts over a Prada-something, whether you're a millions miles away from being able to afford it and do everything you can to find a good copy ("Hey look this is just like that Prada bag! For £8! In Primark! I can draw the logo on and nobody will notice right?") or you can afford it but have so many already that you're wondering whether it's necessary ("Ok, I have 53 pairs of sunglasses but only 7 of them are Prada so there's definitely room for another couple in my collection. There's no space in my wardrobe? Whatever, I'll build an extension.")
Now, however, everyone and anyone has the chance to see and touch some real life Prada, all made possible by the new Pradasphere exhibition at Harrods.

"I don't want to look. But it's Prada. So I'm going to look."
Made in Chelsea's Stephanie Pratt will do anything for Prada it would seem...

The Pradasphere experience has taken over a large area of Harrods, most of their window displays are full of Prada at the moment and the Prada concession on the ground floor is looking shinier (if that's possible) after a bit of a makeover. The main exhibition area is on the fourth floor (top tip - ASK WHERE IT IS, I wandered for miles through teeny tiny designer children's clothes feeling a bit creepy before I finally found it) and isn't huge, but there is a lot to look at.

Pradasphere at Harrods

The exhibition contains a variety of glass cabinets showcasing popular and iconic outfits from Prada's archive. The looks are grouped together by time period and style and each cabinet has a different story to tell. The store has hired knowledgeable fashion historians (who I noticed are all dressed in the exact same black suit and shoes... bit weird) to take you round the exhibition and tell you about the different styles.

A bag from one of Prada's collections

At one side of the room is a huge timeline of different Prada events and designs spanning since the brand began in Milan in 1913 to today. There are also two copies of the extremely huge Prada 'book' which contains photographs of the brands main seasonal campaigns throughout the years. I'm not going to lie, I wanted that book, and I got pretty excited about finding the campaign that came out the summer I was born...

Prada's S/S 1994 campaign

An image from the massive Prada book

At the back of the room is a massive screen showing footage from various Prada catwalk shows which you can walk behind to enter the best (in my opinion) part of the whole experience - the shop. In this tiny hidden room at the back is a treasure trove full of Prada's most iconic and loved designs, brought back from the past exclusively for Harrods. There is a LOT of purple and fur. This part was the best for me because you can see these clothes up close and personal and (if you're brave enough - I wasn't) even try them on.

The catwalk screen (yes it's blurry I am sorry)

The Prada for Harrods label

Overall I really enjoyed the exhibition, I left feeling like I'd had a very personal experience and for a free exhibition in one of the worlds top department stores it was a good size with a lot to see (plus the sofas are really comfy). I'd recommend going on a weekday like I did as I've heard it gets very busy at weekends. There is also a Prada cafe which I didn't get the chance to try out so maybe I'll have to go back...

The exhibition is set in this grand glass-ceiling room

Pradasphere is on until the end of May 2014.