In a landmark partnership linking luxury design and aerospace engineering, Prada and Axiom Space have unveiled the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG), an advanced inner-layer system developed for astronauts preparing to return to the Moon. Presented in New York on June 7th, 2026, the project marks another significant step in the growing relationship between fashion innovation and space technology.
Designed to be worn inside Axiom Space’s next-generation AxEMU spacesuit, the garment will play a vital role during NASA’s planned Artemis IV lunar mission later this decade.
The future of space exploration through cross-industry innovation
The collaboration brings together expertise from two seemingly distant worlds. While Axiom Space contributes decades of aerospace engineering experience, Prada applies its knowledge of advanced materials, technical garment construction, and engineered knitting.
“The future of space exploration will not be built by any one entity alone,” said Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, CEO and President of Axiom Space, describing the partnership as a model for the next era of human spaceflight.
Following the debut of the AxEMU lunar spacesuit exterior in 2024, attention now shifts to the layer worn closest to the astronaut’s body, where comfort, thermal control, and safety are essential.
Prada is making space suits: the technology behind the LCVG
The latest chapter in Prada’s spacewear journey centres on engineering and performance. Developed using advanced 3D modelling, the LCVG is designed to support astronauts during lunar surface activities lasting up to eight hours. A network of cooling tubes is woven directly into the garment. As astronauts carry out demanding tasks, chilled water circulates through the system, drawing heat away from major muscle groups and transferring it to the suit’s life-support unit.
A separate ventilation network supplies fresh oxygen while removing carbon dioxide. The design also features a fully redundant cooling circuit, ensuring continued operation if the primary system fails. Prada’s expertise in high-performance fibres and engineered knitting played a key role in developing materials capable of enduring repeated use while maintaining comfort in one of the harshest environments imaginable.
From luxury fashion to Lunar infrastructure
For Prada, the project extends well beyond space-inspired aesthetics. It signals a growing role for luxury brands within highly technical industries and a deeper commitment to material innovation.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s Chief Marketing Officer, described the garment as the result of combining Axiom Space’s pioneering aerospace expertise with Prada’s mastery of design, construction, and advanced textiles. He also confirmed that the collaboration will continue as both companies pursue new technological frontiers.
Courtesy of AXIOM SPACE and PRADA
