What glows in the dark when charged in sunlight, reveals hidden patterns at low temperatures and changes its texture when wet? The answer is Prada’s new reactive technology, a garment treatment which features in Prada Reactive, the brand’s latest Re-Nylon collection. Making its debut exclusively at The Selfridges Corner Shop, Prada Reactive comprises nylon ready-to-wear and accessories – everything from outerwear and cargo pants to padded scarves, snoods, bucket hats, shoulder bags and pet accessories.

A selection of the Prada Reactive pieces have been designed specifically to react to different temperatures and weather conditions. The Prada logo, printed in a reflective pigment onto raincoats, jackets, trousers and shirts, is only visible when the fabric comes into contact with water, displaying a tone-on-tone effect and contrasting between glossy and matte. Down and padded jackets reveal their pattern when the temperature drops below 10°C, and Re-Nylon Piuma hooded jackets feature reflective zip and logo details. Other garments, made from luminescent Nylon Piuma and jersey, glow in the dark with an intense fluorescent green triangle pattern if they have been charged with sunlight.

Introduced in 2019, Prada Re-Nylon marks the brand’s pioneering shift towards a more sustainable future. The fabric is made from recycled plastic collected from oceans, fishing nets, landfill and textile waste, which is then transformed into new nylon fabric. 

To celebrate the new collection, The Selfridges Corner Shop has been transformed into a graphic urban hub, complete with animated wallpaper displaying Re-Nylon’s core messages on loop. ‘Re-use, re-create, re-search, re-model’ snakes around the walls of the space, a manifesto for Prada’s forward-thinking attitude to fashion, and the Reactive collection itself. Green neon Prada triangles glow in the windows, a nod to Re-Nylon’s sustainability goals and Selfridges’ own Project Earth ambitions.

The message is clear: these are clothes designed to be worn season after season, no matter the weather; a uniform for a customer that is stylish and environmentally aware. The dynamic effects of the garments are visually captivating, whilst also acting as a reminder of the effects of climate change. Continuing the Prada Nylon legacy, these are instant classics to wear for years to come.

To shop the full collection and experience the activation, visit The Selfridges Corner Shop at Selfridges London before 6 November.