Prada Mode in Abu Dhabi: Where Art Meets Luxury

The Italian fashion house brought its eleventh iteration of Prada Mode to Abu Dhabi, transforming MiZa in Mina Zayed into a curated, immersive social club. The space became a mirror of contemporary culture, blending innovation, traditions, and creative intellect.

Curated by Dubai-based art advisor Myrna Ayad, the event ran from February 11 to 14, offering a cultural gathering that reflected the UAE’s evolving artistic identity. Ayad told Vogue Arabia she was thrilled to highlight the power and contributions of Arab women in the region’s vibrant cultural scene.

The venue, MiZa, once a center for trade and exchange, has been reinvented as a creative hub—an ideal location for this kind of intellectually stimulating event. It’s at the heartbeat of Abu Dhabi’s arts movement, deeply tied to its history yet pushing forward with creative community spirit.

Highlights included performances by Emirati poet Afra Atiq, who gave a spoken word reading from her book Of Palm Trees and Skies, and the Egyptian talent Nancy Mounir. The musical program also featured Mauritian singer Noura Mint Seymal, and Saudi-born DJ Nooriyah, creating an invigorating atmosphere.

There were also panel discussions on themes like The Power of the Matriarch and The Grace of Bodily Gestures, exploring the roles Arab women play in shaping the region’s culture. These talks brought together historians, designers, botanical curators, and even opera singers, showcasing a wide diversity of thought and practice.

Renowned multidisciplinary artist Theaster Gates, who partnered with Prada, co-curated the space with NTS, the radio platform founded by Femi Adeyemi. With an installation artist’s eye, he created a cylindrical structure that encouraged both contemplation and connection through live performances, acoustic music sets, and digital interactions that didn’t dictate but rather invited reflection.