Prada is best known for its high-end fashion; however, its latest project is far removed from the runway. The brand has partnered with Axiom Space to help create next-generation lunar spacesuits capable
of withstanding the harsh conditions of the Moon’s south pole.
NASA astronauts taking part in the Artemis III mission will wear spacesuits developed through a collaboration between the Italian fashion house and the US-based space company. The mission is set to mark humanity’s first crewed Moon landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972.
Prada’s In Space
In 2024, Axiom Space and Prada unveiled the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), the spacesuit designed for Artemis III astronauts.
According to Prada, the collaboration draws on the brand’s expertise in advanced materials, manufacturing techniques and innovative design. Prada contributed to the development of the suit’s outer layer, which is engineered to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures and micrometeoroid impacts while exploring the lunar surface.
The spacesuit is specifically designed for the challenging environment of the Moon’s south pole, where NASA plans to land astronauts during the Artemis III mission.
Comfort Matters In Space Too
The partnership has since progressed with the development of the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG), a high-performance layer worn underneath the spacesuit.
Unlike the protective outer shell, the LCVG focuses on astronaut comfort and body temperature regulation. It plays a crucial role in keeping astronauts safe and comfortable during long-duration moonwalks.
Prada says the garment was created using sophisticated 3D modelling techniques and incorporates the company’s expertise in engineered knitting, advanced materials and innovative design concepts.
Together, the AxEMU spacesuit and LCVG are designed to support astronauts during lunar spacewalks lasting up to eight hours.
Why Fashion Brands Are Looking Towards Space
The collaboration also highlights the growing commercial opportunities within the global space industry.
According to a World Economic Forum report 2024, the global space economy is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $630 billion in 2023. The sector is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 9%, outpacing global GDP growth.
The report identifies industries such as transport, food and beverage, defence, digital communications, and retail and lifestyle as key drivers of future growth.
As private space travel and space tourism continue to gain momentum, luxury brands are increasingly exploring opportunities beyond Earth. For Prada, the partnership with Axiom Space represents a chance to apply decades of expertise in materials and design to one of humanity’s most ambitious frontiers.
The Artemis III mission will not only return humans to the Moon after more than five decades but also showcase how collaborations among fashion, technology, and aerospace can help shape the future of exploration.
From crafting luxury handbags to engineering lunar spacesuits, Prada’s latest venture proves that innovation can take fashion farther than ever before—quite literally to the Moon.
