Founder's Lecture 2026: The Fashioned Page

The Bata Shoe Museum is pleased to present the annual Founder’s Lecture, featuring special guest Charles Miers, Publisher and Editorial Director of Rizzoli imprints, in conversation with BSM Director and Senior Curator, Elizabeth Semmelhack, as they explore the intricate art of visual storytelling and the editorial vision behind some of the most celebrated fashion, design, and cultural books produced today.

Renowned for creating some of the world’s most important and beautiful publications, Miers has shaped contemporary visual culture through publishing. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we discover: How does an editor decide which stories deserve a physical form? What transforms a collection of images and ideas into an iconic book? How does passion drive editorial direction? And how did Miers first enter the world of publishing, leading to a distinguished career at Rizzoli spanning over three decades?