Product Range Since 2000
In 2003, Ms. Sander rejoined as head designer and partner in May 2003. But 18 months later, Ms. Sander resigned from the company. Subsequently, the showroom in Hamburg was closed, production was moved to Italy and the staff of 300 was cut to 50. Prada Group still held a 98% stake in the company which generated losses of €10 million after taxes in the first half-year of 2005. The losses in 2004 had been almost €30 million.
In May 2005, it was announced that Raf Simons, a Belgian industrial designer had become creative director for the women’s and men’s collection. Simons wanted to "strip it down so there was nothing that wasn't necessary”. Suzy Menkes, the principal fashion writer for the International Herald Tribune, said that some items in the collection “made exceptional pieces” but overall it “was not as strong as” before. The Fall/Winter collection, however, received accolades from IHT.
Simons’ first women’s collection was shown at the February 2006 fashion shows in Milan. The collection received a positive review from The Evening Standard and the LA Times.
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