Fashion and aerospace engineering rarely occupy the same conversation, but Prada’s latest project demonstrates how expertise in materials and manufacturing can extend far beyond the runway. Working alongside Axiom Space, the Italian luxury house has contributed to the development of the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG), a critical component of the spacesuits that will be used during NASA’s Artemis IV lunar mission.
Worn beneath the outer spacesuit, the LCVG is responsible for regulating an astronaut’s body temperature during extended periods of activity on the lunar surface. Prada’s version incorporates a network of microtubes that circulate chilled water around the body while a separate ventilation system supplies oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. The garment is designed to support extravehicular activities lasting up to eight hours, helping astronauts remain comfortable and functional in one of the harshest environments imaginable.
Rather than relying on bulky construction, Prada leveraged its expertise in technical knitwear to create a lightweight, flexible garment that places cooling channels close to the skin. The three-dimensional knit structure also allows for targeted compression zones that help reduce fatigue during physically demanding tasks. A subtle red stripe across the chest references Prada’s Linea Rossa performance line, though the overall design remains driven by function rather than branding.
According to Axiom Space, the garment is field-repairable and incorporates redundant cooling systems to improve reliability during mission-critical operations. These engineering considerations are particularly important as NASA prepares for longer-duration lunar exploration missions that will require equipment capable of withstanding repeated use in extreme conditions.
While Prada’s involvement may initially seem unexpected, the collaboration highlights how advances in textiles, ergonomics, and manufacturing increasingly overlap with aerospace development. As humanity prepares to return to the Moon, the technologies enabling that journey are coming from places far beyond traditional aerospace contractors—and Prada’s contribution may become one of the most visible examples of that shift.
