For Spring/Summer 2026, Miuccia Prada turned the Miu Miu runway into a depiction of her idea of women at work. Aprons took centre stage in a show titled At Work, presented during Paris Fashion Week. The idea was compelling: to celebrate the overlooked garments that carry history, labour, and quiet resilience. But somewhere between the concept and the clothes, the message lost its profundity.

The opening look - actress Sandra Hüller, in a blue carpenter-style apron over a structured jacket - set a promising tone. But as the collection unfolded, repetition dulled the impact. Leather aprons, crochet pinafores, embellished smocks - each iteration more stylised than the last. It just felt overly literal, and felt like fashion theatre, rather than thoughtful commentary.

There were glimmers of brilliance: the pairing of rugged workwear with delicate crystal trims, the balance between toughness and vulnerability. Yet, for every strong silhouette, another look leaned too heavily on decorative tropes we’ve come to expect from Miu Miu - ruffles, bows, and girlish nostalgia. The result was a collection that looked clever, but not necessarily convincing. It was as if the collection wanted to speak about labour, but couldn’t resist beautifying it.

In the end, At Work wasn’t short on ideas - it was short on restraint. Miuccia’s vision remains unmatched, but this season, the aprons might have worked harder than the storytelling itself.

Images Courtesy of Miu Miu