Milan Fashion Week kicked off with a breakfast hosted by Cabana Magazine’s Martina Mondadori in her magnificent family home, Casa Cabana. The soft morning light stretched over a romantic courtyard and into the formal living room. Out on the ivy-lined terrace, which wraps the apartment’s parameter, uniformed attendants greeted guests with a bountiful Milanese breakfast. Baked treats, fresh juices, and (of course!) plenty of espresso awaited attendees. The conversation, when it drifted from the beautiful setting, settled on major runway debuts, glamorous parties, and award shows.
The apartment was originally designed for Mondadori’s parents by family friend Renzo Mongiardino—the legendary Italian interior designer who started off as an Academy Award-winning set designer before decorating for titans and tastemakers like Valentino Garavani, Aristotle Onassis, Gianni Versace, and Gianni Agnelli. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley Hicks helped renovate and reintegrate her childhood home. Hamish Bowels chronicled the process for the April 2021 issue of Vogue Magazine.
Since its launch a decade ago, Cabana Magazine has attracted a refined audience for its unrivaled coverage of extraordinary homes and the fascinating people who live in them. Inspired by the publication and its growing community, Mondadori created Casa Cabana homeware. Over the years, the brand has partnered with a lineup of designers and jewelry houses from Ulla Johnson to Tiffany & Co. For their latest launch, Vogue100 was the first to preview the anniversary collection, which was on view in her dining room.
A glittering group including Francesca Ragazzi, Vogue Italia’s head of editorial content, and many of her colleagues including Corinne Corci, Francesca Marani, and Benedicta Addoteye. Inside, denim designer Fumi Lee and philanthropist Jordan Rhodes moved through the space, layered with faded books, including Mondadori’s personal collection of vintage Vogue magazines. Everywhere one looked offered inspiration and elegance. A far cry from the icy contemporary interiors favored by the international jet set, the home offered comfort and beauty. The couches were delightfully threadbare. The jubilant patterns and whimsical colors delighted the eye.
After breakfast, Mondadori treated her guests to a master class in setting a table, the Cabana way. The doors to her dining room opened. There, Mondadori explained her process. “I always start setting my table with a tablecloth. For me, it’s like setting the mood, and then everything you add is an accessory. I love to mix and match. This is how we do things at Cabana.”