The Start of Prada 

Prada started in 1913 in Milan, Mario Prada and hid brother Martino opened a lather goods shop in Mailabs city center. The shop originally became know as Fratelli Prada (prada brothers), who specialised in high quality leather products and luxury items. Today Prada has grown in one of the biggesr fashion houses in the world, with shops in 70 countries. The orginal Prada items where a walrus leather case and steamer trunks from England. The orginal designs promoted elegance of luxary. This elegance is now promoted through the entire brand and this is the prestige that it is know for today. 
While Miuccia Prada did not study in fashion he gained a  doctorate in political science as well as studying mime. She was brought into the family business and had always had a love for designer clothes. However Mario was always very against woman running the store but as his son had no she took over and ran it for almost twenty years.
Prada began to grow in the 1970s once Miuccia had taken over with help from her husband Patrizio Bertelli, they started using English imports to change their existing style of luggage. And in 1979 the first line of nylon fabric backpacks where luanched. 

1. The bag below is the 1985 nylon backpack as there are very limited images of the orginal.