Buying something brand new that already looks like it has a secret past is a very specific type of luxury, and Miu Miu is currently the undisputed master of that art. Miuccia Prada is doubling down on the beauty of a life well-lived, unveiling for the occasion the ‘Making of Old’ project, a deep dive into the obsessive, hand-wrought labour required to engineer the perfect, weathered patina. It is a rebellion against the sterile perfection of the showroom, favouring instead the scuffs, creases and fades that usually only come after a decade of heavy rotation.
The process is surprisingly physical and relies on a mix of high-stakes research and old-school manual grit. It begins with sourcing the finest skins and studying their natural imperfections before the real work starts. Each piece of leather is sanded, washed and brushed entirely by hand to achieve a sense of history that feels earned and not manufactured.
But it isn’t a quick task: this layered ritual is designed to ensure the leather maintains its integrity while looking like a prized thrift-store find. This weathered treatment is being rolled out across the board, from the rugged aviator and bomber jackets to those infamous micro shorts and the heavy-duty buckle boots.

The project also breathes new life into the brand’s most coveted accessories. The boxy Arcadie, the utilitarian Pocket and the squishy Wander bags are all being put through this ageing gauntlet, giving them a tactile, matte finish that feels remarkably human.
Miu Miu has always had a fascination with the ‘ugly-chic’ and the slightly undone, and this project is the ultimate expression of that. This spirit of distressed luxury is a direct evolution of the textures previously seen on the runway. By treating these pieces with such a high level of research, time and love, the house is creating items that are meant to be lived in and cherished.
Discover more here.
photography. courtesy of Miu Miu
words. Gennaro Costanzo


























































































































































































