On the ski slopes, substance and style collide: Every garment needs to serve a purpose, or sometimes three, making fashion-conscious yet functional skiwear a must. Italian arbiter Prada began tackling the conundrum more than a decade ago, when it started collaborating with Patrick Wiederkehr of Switzerland’s St. Moritz Ski School to devise cutting-edge winter apparel for its pro athletes. Wiederkehr’s expertise helped the brand develop waterproof pants, modifiable sleeve hems, stow pockets for first-aid gear, and suits with built-in shoulder reinforcements for carrying skis, all of which kept his sportsmen both dapper and dry.

Now Prada’s seasoned knowledge of ski ensembles is being appropriated for Prada Montagna, an all-access capsule collection that hits select boutiques this month. Technically sound and thoughtfully embellished, the line’s striped woollen sweaters, belted puffer jackets, and zip-vests—not to mention boots, gloves, and sunglasses—move effortlessly between the slopes and the lodge.

The collection also incorporates Prada’s year-old “Made In” endeavor, a world manufacturing tour launched in 2011 that sources materials and traditional techniques from different locales. Following the likes of “Prada Made in Scotland,” a parade of tartan kilts from centuries-old workshops, and “Prada Made in Japan,” blue jeans engineered by

Dova in seven washes, Montagna represents “Prada Made in Peru” with its comparably low-tech alpaca knitwear. The sweaters don’t need do much of anything, though, besides keep you warm enough to make the most of your time on the mountain.

Prada Montagna
Photos: Courtesy of Prada