Miu Miu Unveils “Tales & Tellers” Project at Art Basel Paris

It is impossible to discuss contemporary fashion without mentioning Miu Miu. Miuccia Prada's talent and her thoughtful, outward-looking perspective have a profound influence that goes far beyond the realm of a designer. A true feminist and an ardent lover of the arts, she has continuously explored women’s lives with deep interest across cultural fields.

A prime example of Miu Miu's impact beyond fashion is the “Women’s Tales” short film project, launched in 2011. This project has evolved into a platform where female film directors such as Chloé Sevigny, Zoe Cassavetes, Dakota Fanning, Isabel Sandoval and Agnés Varda among many others, present unique perspectives on vanity and the diversity of femininity. Since 2021, the project has further developed, with biannual catwalk shows becoming a space for dialogue with artists through installations and motion imagery. And finally, this year, the brand served as the official partner for the public program at Art Basel Paris, presenting a special exhibition titled “Tales & Tellers” as part of the collaboration. This large-scale project took place at the Palais d'Iéna, the headquarters of France's Economic, Social, and Environmental Council and the venue for Miu Miu's catwalk shows during Art Basel week. The project was conceptualised by interdisciplinary artist Goshka Macuga, who also designed the decor for Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2025 runway show held on October 1. Macuga’s Art Basel project was brought to life with the help of Elvira Dyangani Ose, director of the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art.

In the vast, open space of the Palais d'Iéna, 35 works associated with the “Women’s Tales” project were displayed, including video and installation pieces created by artists who have contributed to runway presentations since Spring/Summer 2022. Part of the runway set featuring the newspaper “THE TRUTHLESS TIMES” circulating on a conveyor belt was preserved in the space, although much of it was reimagined for the exhibition. During a press conference, Macuga described the venue as akin to a public space, likening it to a plaza where strangers gather, or, in the context of ancient Greece, an agora. “Our principle was to really bring the characters back to life and blend them into reality again. The truthless times and the reality of existing, cooperating, and coexisting were essential. You can have a very intimate relationship to the days. And I think that this is really great because it's not imposed just to see it in one way. But there is a variety of experiences,“ she explained at the press preview.

Mannequin-like screens hung from garment racks and iPads embedded in backpacks worn by performers―no two methods were the same for projecting these video works. Each piece’s protagonist seemed to step out from the screen, embodied in the space as a real person dressed in Miu Miu archival pieces. These stories, re-enacted by actors, were physically retold in fragments, adding layers to the original narratives through simultaneous video projections. Characters ranging from an opera singer to a witch or a boxer exhibited a variety of behaviours: some sat motionless with vacant expressions, while others roamed the space as if they were part of the audience. They engaged in casual conversations, developing spontaneous narratives that blurred the lines between reality and the virtual space of the video works. Spectators, too, became part of these stories, invited to freely engage with the works and performances, creating a space for dialogue. “It’s an honour to create a space where time feels suspended, crossing the boundaries of art, cinema, and fashion, and allowing for magical encounters,” remarked Macuga.

The main collonaded hall served as a stage for artistic interventions, while the rear space―where politicians hold conferences as the headquarters of the Council on the Environment―hosted talk events throughout the exhibition. These talks centred around “Women’s Tales”project themes like vanity and the diversity of femininity, with directors and artists behind the runway show’s video works taking the stage to discuss not their art, but the personal lives and histories that formed the backbone of their work.

For instance, on the morning of the 16th, the event welcomed four speakers: Argentine filmmaker Laura Citarella (she shot a short film for Miu Miu this year called “The Miu Miu Affaire”), American director and screenwriter Ava DuVernay (she worked for Miu Miu back in 2013 on the movie “The Door”), Australian costume designer Catherine Martin, and Spanish filmmaker Carla Simón (she directed “Letter to My Mother for My Son” in 2022 for Miu Miu “Women’s Tales”). They exchanged views on topics such as life, work, and overcoming challenges, as well as their goals and dreams, delving deeply into the notion of a “truthless era”.

Simón shared a perspective that resonated with the others: “I feel that the truth is less about what actually happened and more about the choices we make based on our beliefs. And the stories we see are often crafted by observers, not by those directly involved. If we take dreams as an example, the stories we see in dreams feel like truths filtered through our experiences, but they aren’t true for others. Reality works similarly, as our varied experiences, beliefs, and perspectives create differences in our understanding of truth.”

Citarella closed by reflecting on her own approach: “What I always want to remember is that everything has facets, and each perspective brings a different story. It’s almost impossible to define things in black and white as truth or falsehood, right or wrong, and I want to keep in mind that there are endless shades of grey in between.”

Miuccia Prada’s cross-disciplinary approach, as highlighted in the “Tales & Tellers” exhibition at Art Basel Paris, demonstrates how art can transcend the present moment to become a transformative experience. The “Tales” in the form of short films convey the complex, joyful, and aesthetically rich lives of women, offering insights into what should be recognised to truly understand these narratives. They remind us that we, too, are characters in history and active “Tellers” of society’sstories. Miu Miu's ongoing exploration of the evolving concept of femininity builds solidarity and bonds among women, paving the way for the next chapter in this narrative.

Courtesy: Miu Miu

Text: Elie Inoue