Miuccia Prada one of Europe's top 25 businesswomen

The Italian stylist, Miuccia Prada, is 21st in the classification of Europe's 25 most important businesswomen published today by the Financial Times.

At the top of the list is Finland's Sari Baldauf, chairman of the mobile telephone company, Nokia Network, followed by Ana Botin, chairman of the Banesto banking group in Spain, and third is Britain's Valerie Gooding, chief executive of Bupa, the private health service company.

Referring to Prada, the Financial Times said how Miuccia's 'chic minimalist design' had revolutionized the Milan fashion house set up by her father in 1913. Since she joined the family business at the beginning of the Seventies, the 54 year old designer has been applauded on the runways and has received awards, including a doctorate from the London Royal College of Art in recognition of her innovative use of fabrics.

Based on what businesswomen in Europe have accomplished, the classification has two groups of criteria. The first includes the size of the company and their position within it; the second refers to how influential they are, the contribution they have made to the company, and the example they have set for other women.

(Source: Ansa)