Prada unveiled its first ever space suit

During the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Prada and the U.S.-based aerospace company Axiom Space presented their first collaboration: the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, which will debut in space during NASA’s Artemis III mission. This project represents a major milestone for Prada, marking the brand's first venture into the intersection of fashion and aerospace engineering. Combining Prada’s expertise in cutting-edge design with Axiom’s technical prowess, the suit offers both aesthetics and high functionality, enabling astronauts to adapt to the harsh environment of the lunar south pole. Like other iconic spacesuits, the Prada x Axiom suit is white to reflect heat and protect against lunar dust. It will ensure maximum safety and comfort thanks to innovative materials, still under development, and advanced stitching techniques. Prada’s true challenge was not just creating an appealing design but meeting the precise needs of the astronauts involved in the mission by delivering a suit with technically flawless performance. Every element has been meticulously designed to withstand extreme temperatures and enable astronauts (both men and women) to operate with flexibility and precision. The Prada suit is capable of supporting up to eight hours of extravehicular activity, a significant achievement in aerospace engineering. «We explored new paths and pushed the limits of traditional design,» said Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space. «This partnership sets an important precedent, demonstrating how collaborations across industries can unlock new opportunities for commercial development in space.» Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer of Prada, also expressed pride in the project: «We have shared our expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing techniques, learning a lot from our partners. This is just the beginning of a journey that will continue to push us beyond our boundaries.»

Among the new features of the Prada x Axiom suit are life-support systems, avionics (for managing the onboard electronic equipment), cooling technologies, and custom-made gloves. The suit can withstand up to two hours in the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole, where temperatures are colder, and the helmet offers improved visibility compared to previous versions. Thanks to its modular structure (which allows for replication), the AxEMU suit can also be used for other missions, both on the Moon and in low-Earth orbit. It was developed in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX (the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk) and was tested at the Johnson Space Center and the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where underwater simulations were conducted to mimic zero-gravity conditions. Prada and Axiom announced that the suit will be ready by 2025, after completing additional joint pressurized simulations (the first since the Apollo missions) and integrated tests with the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle prototype. This partnership marks the beginning of a new era for cross-industry collaborations and reflects Prada's growing interest in sectors beyond luxury fashion. As Russell Ralston, Axiom’s Vice President of Extravehicular Activities, explained, «We are witnessing a transformation in space exploration, made possible through the sharing of expertise across different industries. Bringing together specialists from various fields allows us to develop innovative products and services that address not only the challenges of space but also future needs on Earth.»