The famed Italian fashion house and Axiom Space reach next frontier
Space is an unforgiving environment. It is cold and inhospitable and has no understanding of fashion designers and their processes. There is no “air kissing” in the vacuum of space. Yet, in October 2024, at the International Astronautical Congress, Axiom Space and Prada revealed the flight design of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit that the first woman on the moon could wear as part of NASA’s Artemis III mission.
The new design has the usual components, with the helmet, visor and Portable Life Support System backpack marked with the characteristic Prada Linea Rossa red line throughout. Apart from that, the exterior looks the same as any spacesuit has for the past six decades. The improvements are in the details.
Space is arguably the final frontier for the fashion industry. It is exactly the kind of environment that will test design, materials and manufacturing to the absolute limit. By entering into partnership with Axiom Space, Prada is boldly going where no fashion house has gone before. At the same time, the knowledge gained in these extreme conditions will filter down to benefit…
