At Milan’s Men’s Fashion Week, co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons stripped the Prada identity down to its bare bones at the Deposito of Fondazione Prada with the unveiling of the latest Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, aptly titled A Change of Tone. Shifting the attitude of the brand away from power dressing, the show boasted a wardrobe of delicate disruption, with tailored silhouettes contrasted by vibrant bursts of bright hues or high-cut shorts paired with crisp shirts and sleek jackets. In attendance to witness the changing tones were Benedict Cumberbatch, Harris Dickinson, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Benito Skinner, and Riz Ahmed, among others.

The cavernous runway space, with concrete floors and exposed beams, was adorned only with plush, flower-shaped shag rugs in black, white, and pale blue, setting the tone for the collection rooted in elemental impulse. The stark backdrop served as a sort of utopian concrete beach as the models marched in a parade of playful ease. Each look was a breath of fresh air—the feeling of emerging from crystal blue ocean water on a summer Sunday.

Guided by a mantra of non-conformist harmonies and new movements, this collection welcomed the summer energy with an emphasis on instinctual creativity—conjuring images of the last swim in a lover’s lake and focusing on a sense of escapism. The looks from this collection were minimalist and direct, bringing the pulse of summer into moments of calm. From windswept raffia hats in bold tones, to tracksuits layered under trench coats, and sandals paired with muted butter yellow or blushing pink trousers, the collection posits a softness that dismantles the traditional masculine dress. It is simultaneously playful and elegant, with poetic pieces reminiscent of a nostalgic childhood summer. 

Ultimately, the collection represents shifting ideas of expression. The garments call for a surrender to those imaginary places—the suspension between a dreamlike state and a grounded reality.