In developing the strategy and conceptual direction, 2x4 researched and commandeered a stable of pathbreaking female graphic novelists and comic book artists to create the show’s large-scale environmental graphics. By framing the runway show with their artwork, our design helped Prada recognize and celebrate the contributions of women artists in a male-dominated field.

Contributors include the genre’s rising stars, including Hugo-Award-winning artist Fiona Staples and Brigid Elva, along with more established innovators like Natsume Ono and Trina Robbins (the first woman to draw for Wonder Woman). The space also uses images from the archive of the late Tarpé Mills, a prominent early female comic book artist and the creator of action hero Miss Fury.

Rather than simply present their work within the show space, our design embeds the runway space within the visual language of the comic book. A collage of artwork adorned the walls and seating areas, while the catwalk featured a design based on graphic effects that convey motion and excitement. Black border detailing along the edges of stairs, columns, and other architectural elements served to visually “flatten” the visual aspect of the experience creating a show space that achieves visual and conceptual unity.