Mario Prada founded his busined in leather handbags, shoes, trunks, and suitcase in 1913 in Milan, Italy. His granddaughter, Miuccia Prada, had been making smart nylon backpacks since 1970, and took over the Prada company in 1978. She expanded and infuse the company with a fresh, new, and youthful aesthetic by introducing other handheld bags and nylon accessories, including small luggage, all stamped with the distinctive plaque with Prada name.