In a ground-breaking partnership, Prada has teamed up with Axiom Space to design a spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis III mission. This Prada and Axiom collaboration marks a unique venture, extending the Italian luxury brand’s expertise in high-performance design to space. While surprising to some, Prada’s history with advanced materials in its Luna Rossa sailing team demonstrates the brand’s readiness for such an innovative role.
This experience with high-performance materials for the Luna Rossa sailing team showcases the brand’s ability to engineer products that withstand extreme conditions—wind, water, and now, the vast challenges of space. This expertise uniquely equips Prada to blend technical functionality with style, enabling the brand to move from earthbound elements to outer-space ambitions, truly bringing their “lunar” vision into reality.
Design and product development teams at Prada collaborated closely with Axiom’s engineers, advising on material selection and special features essential for the demanding lunar environment. This spacesuit combines cutting-edge technology with a visual appeal that mirrors Prada’s ethos of blending function and style, reinforcing the future of space exploration through a luxury fashion lens.
Protecting Intellectual Property in Prada’s Spacesuit Collaboration
Prada and Axiom collaboration raises interesting questions about how intellectual property rights and proprietary details are safeguarded, particularly under UK law.
Confidential Information and Trade Secrets
The development of the spacesuit involved a high level of secrecy, with only a few images released to the public and a special dark cover layer used to protect proprietary details during design. It’s likely that Prada and Axiom have used confidentiality agreements, such as NDAs and employment contract clauses, to protect trade secrets and other confidential information. In this way, some technical aspects of the spacesuit could be preserved as trade secrets, a form of IP protection that, like Coca-Cola’s secret formula, can remain effective indefinitely.
Patents
The spacesuit likely incorporates several patented or patentable technologies. Patent protection, which can last up to 20 years in the UK, allows the holder to prevent others from using the invention without permission. As long as no detailed technical disclosures have been made, patent applications may still be pursued. However, once a patent is filed, the invention is published, thus lifting any confidentiality and potentially making trade secrets inapplicable. You must remember not to disclose any innovative technologies ahead of registering a patent, gaining legal advice and having robust NDAs in place are crucial.
Registered Designs
The suit’s distinctive appearance and innovative design elements may qualify for registered design protection, offering an exclusive right to the aesthetic aspects of the product for up to 25 years (with renewal every five years). This form of protection would prevent others from copying the visual design of the suit, an advantage for both functionality and style. However, public disclosure starts a one-year clock for filing registration applications, meaning Prada and Axiom’s collaboration will have limited time to secure these rights if they haven’t already.
Trade Marks
Interestingly, Prada’s logo is absent from the suit, aside from a subtle red line that references its Linea Rossa collection. This choice aligns with a quiet-luxury approach and keeps the design technically focused. While this red line may hint at Prada’s involvement, it doesn’t qualify as a trade mark on its own, limiting Prada’s branding on the suit.
A Strategic Partnership for Prada’s Future
This Prada and Axiom collaboration has been a significant brand move, combining innovation with visibility in an unexpected arena. While Prada’s IP rights in this project may focus more on confidentiality and design protection than on trade marks, the collaboration itself positions Prada at the forefront of luxury fashion and high-tech innovation. As the luxury market becomes more competitive, Prada’s bold move to co-brand with a space technology leader not only enhances its image but also paves the way for future ventures that blend high fashion with cutting-edge technology.
How National Business Register Can Help Protect Your Brand
At National Business Register, we understand the importance of safeguarding your brand’s uniqueness and value. Our team of IP experts is here to help you secure your brand. Whether you’re an established name or an emerging business, let us support you in making your brand legally protected and ready to grow in any industry—even beyond this world. You can contact us by emailing info@nbrg.co.uk or calling 0800 069 9090.
