In fashion, the perfect handbag is something that is essential, yet elusive. It should at once be a fashion statement, but not too gaudy or garish, and definitely not simply one of the season's passing trends. Prada handbags have become known for their high class elegance and quality, and for many years have been celebrated as the best handbag available. More than simply a sack to put your things into, these hand bags are portable, personal works of art.

These beautiful handbags are products of the Prada Company itself, from start to finish. They are conceived, developed, and put together completely in house, which is a very good thing because Prada is one of the most highly regarded companies working in Fashion, both in its native Italy and the world. Their name is synonymous with style and elegance, and their handbags conjure images of women who command attention with their grace and demeanor.

The company was started in Italy in 1913 by Mario Prada, and was known by the Italian for Prada Brothers, Fratelli Prada. The company soon began designing and making its famous leather goods and handbags after its arrival on the market, and it was only a small amount of time before the company garnered far reaching respect. Its products were hits in both Europe and the United States. As business grew, the company opened up two small shops in Milan so that it could sell its authentic wares, like handbags, shoes, and luggage.

As time went by, the company's handbags became symbols of luxury, style, and elegance within the fashion industry. Reviewer after reviewer raved about Prada's simplicity and taste, and in time the entire world began to want to have the distinctive handbags. In spite of the growing fame, these classy handbags remained true to things that were central to their original design, simple and functional, yet also distinctly tasteful and classy.

Although Prada handbags have stayed true to their origins, it would be a mistake to think that they have not evolved over time. The original handbags were made from walrus hide, which is extremely heavy. Designers soon realized that it wasn't exactly practical to tote around the heavy hide, so they began to increase the use of fine grade leather in both the handbags and handbag accessories, but they didn't stop there. One of the first things that the company did was to waterproof their handbags and luggage.

Even today, the company's designers are constantly on the look out for new high-tech fabrics and other materials to improve the quality of their product, and have used such things as crystals, woods, even tortoise shells to add flair to the handbags in the past. Given the quality of these handbags, it should be no surprise that they are still highly sought after, bought and sold all over the world.

But today's continued success did not come without a struggle. With the entire fashion industry in decline during the 1970s, Prada suffered as well. But at that time, the company was taken over by Miuccia Prada, and she has run the company since 1978. Ms. Prada is hailed for her sense of fashion and it was she who led the company through the unsure times of the seventies to market dominance today.

But with great success in fashion comes the problem of counterfeiters. Today, cheap knock-off and pretend Prada handbags are sold on the streets throughout Italy and the world. This maybe be on account of people's desire to have the status of one of these handbags without having to pay the price. Add into the equation the company's elegant and minimal symbol design and there is a problem for those who want to have the genuine article, as it can take someone with experience to tell the fakes from the real handbags.