MILAN — On Monday, a day after Prada revealed Raf Simons was joining the brand as co-creative director, company shares opened up 3.5 percent to 29.50 Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, but closed down 2.98 percent as stock markets worldwide fell after the number of coronavirus cases surged in Italy and South Korea. In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 1.8 percent.
As reported, Simons is set to work in partnership with Miuccia Prada “with equal responsibilities for creative input and decision-making,” the company said Sunday. Simons starts April 2, and the duo’s first codesigned collection will be unveiled for spring 2021 during a fashion show in Milan in September.
Buyers in Milan on Sunday enthused about the tie-up, as reported, and analysts and observers on Monday were equally upbeat about the change put in place at the Italian company, several seeing a possible, budding succession plan. Miuccia Prada, who is 70, asked if she was eyeing retirement at some point, brushed off the suggestion. “I like working, and I’m very excited and this will bring new wind. Please don’t make me older than I am,” she said with a laugh.
Equita analysts said in a note that they “don’t

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