Prada and Axiom's New NASA Designed Spacesuit Will Go to the Moon

Prada is a name synonymous with innovation, and their latest collaboration is no exception. The luxury brand has teamed up with Axiom Space to create a space suit that truly redefines the boundaries of fashion.

This collaboration transcends the typical designer partnerships—where brands link up with everything from celebrities to snack foods—by taking the Milanese label’s signature style directly to space.

This isn’t just any mission; it’s the Artemis III mission, marking the first human moon landing since 1972, and it is spearheaded by NASA and Axiom Space. This groundbreaking event will also feature the first woman and the first person of color to set foot on the moon, slated for September 2026.

“Going beyond our limits is one of the company’s values that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Prada brand and my parents’ vision,” says Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. “We’ve shared our expertise on high-performance materials, features, and sewing techniques, and we learned a lot.”

Photo courtesy of Prada

This is a fashion moment that transcends mere style; it is historic. The suits, designed by Prada for this monumental occasion, boast a predominantly white exterior, accented with gray geometric patterns over the knees, elbows, and backside, complemented by striking red stripes. Although the Prada logo is notably absent, the brand’s essence shines through in these thoughtful details.

The red stripes are a nod to Prada’s Linea Rossa line, introduced in 1997, which emphasized tech-forward aesthetics and sporty designs using innovative nylon materials. According to a press release, Prada collaborated with Axiom to blend cutting-edge technologies and sophisticated sewing techniques, merging highly engineered functionality with an appealing aesthetic. They also utilized open seams, allowing for greater freedom of movement while protecting against moon dust and ensuring comfort and durability—validated by comprehensive studies.

While Prada’s venture into space might seem unexpected, it has been on the horizon for some time. When Neil Armstrong made history by landing on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, he wore a custom suit crafted by a predominantly female team from the International Latex Corporation. That pivotal moment not only influenced the fashion industry but also catapulted designers like Pierre Cardin, André Courrèges, and Paco Rabanne into the spotlight.

The echoes of that futuristic vision resonate in today’s fashion landscape. With a resurgence in space exploration programs, the trend of fashion collaborations is gaining momentum. For instance, Adidas' Y-3 partnered with Virgin Galactic in 2015 to design space suits made from Nomex Meta Aramid for its test flights, while Reebok joined forces with David Clark Company to create the Space Boot SB-01 for Boeing’s Starliner launch in 2019. Now, Prada is taking that concept even further, dressing for a cosmic mission that the world will be eagerly watching.

Why wouldn’t a fashion house known for its spirit of innovation want to be involved in such an endeavor? Traveling to space is the ultimate statement, and Prada has become the first luxury brand to secure a collaboration of this magnitude. If successful, this upcoming Moon Landing will resonate through culture just like the 1969 mission, inspiring intergalactic fashion and pop culture phenomena like Star Trek and The Jetsons. This small step for man could very well lead to a giant leap for humankind—and for Prada, there's no measuring the return on investment for such a monumental moment.

Let the fashion space race commence!