Who knew that spacewear could be sophisticated, inventive, and chic at the same time?

For the past few decades, brands like Paco Rabanne, Chanel, and Thierry Mugler have held a love affair with outer space and all of its components. In continuation of their partnership, Prada and Axiom Space unveiled the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment that pairs with the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit spacesuit on June 7.
Built for the next generation of astronauts, the LCVG layer will protect those wearing it from space's harsh conditions as they explore the moon for the first time in over 50 years. The collaboration draws on Prada's iconic engineered knitting and design concepts, eventually resulting in a comfortable piece made for long excursions on the moon.
“The future of space exploration will not be built by any one entity alone, and our partnership with Prada is proof of that,” said Axiom Space CEO and President Dr. Jonathan Cirtain. “By bringing together the best in both aerospace engineering as well as luxury craftsmanship and advanced product development, we have developed a garment that neither company could have created independently, and that is exactly the kind of cross-industry thinking that will define the next era of human spaceflight.”
With Prada's vast expertise in high-performance materials, the development of specialized fibers significantly enhanced the garment's ability to be worn consistently during lengthy missions. From advanced 3D modeling techniques to a ventilation function that transforms carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen, the LCVG is built for all sorts of tasks in space.
The high-performance garment is an addition to the 2024 AxEMU outer layer, designed to withstand thermal extremes and the lunar South Pole's micrometeoroid environment. Naturally, addressing the body's ever-changing temperature, comfort, and durability through a reliable piece was the next step in the partnership.

Courtesy of Prada.

“When we unveiled the AxEMU, we announced that the collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space would continue beyond that first milestone. Today, we are proud to present a new achievement born from the unique combination of Axiom Space’s pioneering expertise and Prada’s know-how in design, patternmaking, and advanced materials, ahead of humanity’s return to the lunar surface,” said Prada Group Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sustainability Lorenzo Bertelli. “We look forward to continuing this collaboration with Axiom Space, pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers together.”
Throughout a mission, astronauts can easily face extreme heat while wearing a spacesuit. With the aid of the LCVG layer, tubes distributing cold water throughout the piece target the body's vital muscle groups. In return, the wearer cools down as said heat is carried out and exported to space. 
If the primary loop fails, the fully redundant cooling circuit will ensure a backup is available in any situation. As astronauts prepare to embark on NASA's Artemis IV mission to the moon, they are guaranteed to be safe, cool, and fashionable while wearing the LCVG and AxEMU space suit.
“Every minute astronauts spend outside their vehicle, the LCVG is working to keep them safe,” said Axiom Space Senior Vice President of Spacecraft Development Russell Ralston. “It manages their thermal environment, supports their breathing, and does it all while they’re pushing their bodies to the limit. The work we have done with Prada has taken that capability to a level we could not have achieved alone.”

Prada Reveals Out of This World Garment For Innovative Space Suit

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