Prada: Understated Elegance

Famed for its highly-coveted luxury goods and immortalized in pop culture, it's no surprise that Prada has earned a Readers' Choice Award nomination for Best Clothing Designer. The Italian designer is a staple of the luxury lifestyle around the world.

Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada, the company started out as a leathergoods shop in Milan, specializing in handbags and trunks imported from England. Mario's daughter-in-law took over the company upon his death some 40 years later; her daughter, Miuccia Prada, is creative director of the company today. more>