Boss honors Meriem Bennani with inaugural award to expand art patronage at Art Basel
Boss has cemented its position as a dedicated patron of the international art scene through its expanded partnership with Art Basel. At the inaugural Art Basel Awards Night held in Miami Beach last week, the fashion house unveiled the Boss Award for Outstanding Achievement. The 2025 recipient of this prestigious new honor is artist Meriem Bennani, whose multimedia practice is celebrated for its innovative, humorous, and critically engaged approach to storytelling.
Originally from Morocco and based in New York, Bennani's work spans a diverse range of artistic media, including video, sound, animation, sculpture, and large-scale installations. She is known for her distinctive style that combines humor, pop culture aesthetics, and digital language in her narratives. This approach results in immersive and playful, yet incisive, works that deeply resonate with contemporary audiences.
The award was presented by CEO Daniel Grieder and creative director Marco Falcioni. The Boss Award for Outstanding Achievement aims to continuously recognize artistic practices that open new perspectives and spark relevant social dialogue. Expressing her gratitude, Meriem Bennani commented, "I am deeply honoured to have my work recognised by such an iconic brand that has long championed innovative art that speaks to a wider public. This award inspires me to continue creating works that challenge perspectives and celebrate the beauty of collective experiences."
A central feature of the ceremony was an immersive catwalk installation entitled "1995–2025: 30 Years of Arts Sponsorship," which highlighted the brand's long-standing dedication to arts patronage. Milestones showcased included "Paper Suit" (1998) by artist James Rosenquist, which uniquely combines tailoring craftsmanship with the ephemerality of paper. The installation also celebrated the legacy of the Hugo Boss Prize, awarded for many years in collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum, as well as a retrospective of the Hugo Boss Asia Art Award, established jointly with the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai.
Boss CEO Daniel Grieder stated, "Art has been an integral part of our DNA for over 30 years, and our partnership with Art Basel takes our commitment to a new level. We are proud to present the inaugural Boss Award for Outstanding Achievement to its first recipient, Meriem Bennani. This award marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and we look forward to shaping the future of art together." Creative Director Marco Falcioni added, "Fashion is an integral part of our everyday lives and serves as a bridge between the individual and society, often blurring the line between functionality and art... Hugo Boss has been committed to the dialogue between fashion and contemporary art, as it continues to inspire innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking ideas."
The Boss Award provides a substantial endowment of $100,000 to support the laureate's future projects and a charitable initiative of their choice. The award is open to living artists working across all media, with a specific focus on emerging talents who are actively shaping discussions both within and beyond the art world.
