Miu Miu Literary Club celebrates women's voices in second edition

What does it mean to grow up as a woman? How do love and desire shape identity? These questions took centre stage at the Miu Miu Literary Club 2025, held on April 9-10 at the Circolo Filologico Milanese in Milan. Under the theme "A Woman’s Education" which was conceived under the direction of Miuccia Prada, the event explored the lives and inner worlds of women through literature, music and conversation

The club, now in its second year, brought together a global community of thinkers, artists, and writers to discuss two seminal works: Simone de Beauvoir’s The Inseparables and Fumiko Enchi’s The Waiting Years. Both novels delve into the complexities of womanhood, friendship, and societal expectations. Through these texts, the event sought to challenge long-held norms and spark fresh dialogue.

Stories of girlhood and friendship

Day one opened with a panel on The Inseparables, a novella by French existentialist Simone de Beauvoir. Written in 1954 but unpublished until 2020, it tells the story of a young girl navigating friendship and self-discovery. The panellists - Lauren Elkin, Geetanjali Shree, and Veronica Raimo - shared their reflections on how female friendships shape identity. They discussed the pressures young women face to conform and how literature can empower them to question those rules.

The day concluded with live performances. Artists like Joy Crookes and Bluem filled the historic venue with music, offering an emotional counterpoint to the intellectual discussions.

Love, desire and power

On day two, attention shifted to Fumiko Enchi’s The Waiting Years. This 1957 novel portrays a woman forced to find a concubine for her husband, laying bare the sacrifices women make under patriarchal systems. Nicola Dinan, Naoise Dolan and Sarah Manguso led a conversation on how love and desire are represented in literature - and what these portrayals reveal about society.

Moderated by poet Kai Isaiah Jamal, the discussion tackled themes of agency and repression. The panellists examined how Enchi’s work resonates today, particularly in its unflinching portrayal of female sexuality.

The evening featured more performances, including spoken-word poetry by Jamal and music by Enny and Pip Millet. These artistic expressions added depth to the conversations, creating a holistic exploration of women’s experiences.

Bridging past and present

Curated by writer Olga Campofreda, the event highlighted how literature serves as both a mirror and a catalyst for change. By revisiting works from de Beauvoir and Enchi - two trailblazing feminist voices - the Literary Club connected past struggles with contemporary issues.

Miu Miu’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue was evident throughout. From panel discussions to live performances, every aspect of the event encouraged participants to reflect on women’s roles in society - and how they might evolve.

As attendees left with copies of The Inseparables and The Waiting Years in hand, one thing was clear: stories have power. They challenge us to think differently, to question norms, and to imagine new possibilities for ourselves and others.

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