Carey Mulligan Brings Transformative Drama to Prada’s Spring 2025 Campaign
In a bold departure from recent seasons, Prada has handed the reins of its Spring 2025 campaign to none other than Steven Meisel, marking the iconic photographer’s return to the brand after a five-year hiatus. Known for his ability to shape striking narratives through the lens, Meisel captures actress Carey Mulligan in a series of dramatic transformations that highlight the multifaceted ethos of Prada’s latest collection.
Prada’s Shift in Creative Vision
Under the co-creative direction of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, the brand has long favored the sleek, almost clinical aesthetic brought to life by photographer Willy Vanderperre. From Fall 2023 to the Holiday 2024 campaigns, Vanderperre’s lens shaped Prada’s visual identity. But for Spring 2025, Prada opts for a fresh perspective, entrusting Meisel to bring a theatrical edge to the campaign.
Shot against a minimalist white studio backdrop, Mulligan morphs into a variety of characters, donning an array of wigs, tailored ensembles, and carefully curated Prada accessories. The clean setting serves as a blank canvas, allowing Mulligan’s acting chops and Meisel’s vision to shine through.
Carey Mulligan: The Perfect Muse
Best known for her critically acclaimed performances in Promising Young Woman, An Education, and The Great Gatsby, Mulligan steps into Prada’s Spring 2025 campaign as more than just a model—she’s a storyteller. Each frame feels like a scene from a yet-to-be-written film, with Mulligan using subtle expressions and dramatic.
“This collaboration was about transformation and personality,” shares Meisel. “Carey has the rare ability to shift personas effortlessly, and that was exactly what we wanted to convey for Prada this season—a collection that’s about versatility and drama.”
The Collection: Modern Minimalism Meets Bold Expression
Prada’s Spring 2025 collection fuses the label’s signature modern minimalism with bursts of bold, expressive design. Structured coats, razor-sharp suiting, and airy dresses are styled with statement accessories that hint at Prada’s love for contradiction. The use of wigs adds a touch of theatricality, underscoring the collection’s narrative of reinvention and individuality.
Fashion Community’s Divided Take
While Meisel’s artistic vision and Mulligan’s adaptability shine, the campaign hasn’t been without its critics. Members of The Fashion Spot forum had mixed reactions:
- “Love both names. Hate the outcome,” admitted one user, TomBlanksFullFatMiuMiu.
- “Tragic to have switched it up from Willy Vanderperre to Steven Meisel, only to serve up another bland and lifeless studio shoot,” lamented vogue28.
- Melancholybaby was equally unimpressed, stating, “Those wigs are evil. Underwhelming all around.”
Others questioned the creative direction: Thefrenchy asked, “What’s the point of spending 1M+ on a campaign if it’s to come up with some bland imagery that is nowhere near interesting?”
A Campaign Built on Subtlety
Despite the polarizing reactions, the campaign remains a testament to Prada’s ability to push boundaries and explore new creative territories. Mulligan’s performance in the campaign is a reminder that Prada thrives on duality—blurring the line between simplicity and complexity, the familiar and the unexpected.
To explore more from the campaign, including all the looks, visit Prada or join the ongoing conversation about Meisel’s vision and Mulligan’s versatility. Whether you love it or loathe it, one thing’s certain: Prada Spring 2025 is hard to ignore.
