Shopping at Prada is an interesting, carefully designed experience.<p>As an example, here's the google street view of their flagship store in NYC: <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/bHMZS" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/maps/bHMZS</a> There's no sign, and the window displays could be strange art installations just as easily as they could be retail displays: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alreadytaken/31015342/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/alreadytaken/31015342/</a> The whole thing is reminiscent of bars that don't have signs, designed to make the consumer feel like they're "in the know" before they even enter the building.<p>Inside the store, the retail experience is similarly unusual: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12582419@N02/2679233658/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/12582419@N02/2679233658/</a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/3031713197/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/3031713197/</a> they have a massive space, but they display the goods more like a gallery displaying art than a retailer displaying pret-a-porter clothing.<p>I find top luxury brands particularly interesting because so much of the value they create is intangible, or arises from the handling of easy-to-miss details. There's a lot to learn from companies that charge multiples of typical solutions and earn devoted, passionate advocates in the process.