New York State of Mind
The historic Ralph Lauren Women's & Home flagship store on Madison Avenue was the most atmospheric backdrop for a thoroughly memorable New York evening this week, as Cabana Magazine and Ralph Lauren celebrated the launch of the New York City Guide.
📍Ralph Lauren, Madison Avenue, New York
BY FRANCESCA SIMPSON | HAPPENINGS | 1 MAY 2025

Ralph Lauren's iconic limestone mansion on Madison Avenue - a monument to American elegance - played host to a select gathering of New York's cultural cognoscenti as Cabana launched its New York City Guide on a crisp April evening.
David Lauren, Chief Branding & Innovation Officer at Ralph Lauren, and Martina Mondadori, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Cabana, welcomed guests from the worlds of fashion, design, and architecture, all eager to discover Cabana's vision of the city.
The evening offered guests a moment of refined conviviality amidst Manhattan's perpetual motion. "After Milan and London, New York has truly become Cabana's third home," Martina stated. "This guide is our love letter to a city that has embraced us and continues to inspire us with its endless creativity and character."

Martina Mondadori & David Lauren
Taking front and centre stage was The Guide itself—each copy individually wrapped in patterns from Ralph Lauren Home's latest fabric collection, the paint-splattered Dropcloth Velvet, which spectacularly decked out the mansion. The beautifully bound guides offer insider tips and a glimpse into Cabana's favorite New York haunts.
With elegant craft cocktails in hand, guests engaged in animated debate about the city's most underrated treasures. Among the attendees were notable figures from New York's creative landscape, including Aerin Lauder, Martha Stewart and Miranda Brooks. Designers James Huniford and David Kleinberg notably appreciated the exquisite setting, as did Stephen Sills enthusiastically reviewing The Guide with Virginia Tupker.
Elsewhere, Amy Astley, Derek Blasberg, and Neal Beckstedt explored Cabana's perspective on their beloved city, alongside Brian Sawyer, David Netto, and Lea Carpenter. Throughout the evening guests discovered and debated The Guide's recommendations for quintessential New York experiences. Its pages reveal a New York of unmarked doors, family legacies, hidden architectural wonders, and timeless establishments that have defined the city's character across generations.

As the evening drew to a close, David and Martina moved to the iconic Polo Bar where the celebration continued with an intimate dinner.
This perfectly orchestrated evening epitomized the sophistication and charm of New York City — a fitting conclusion to a night celebrating Cabana's enduring affection for its adopted American home.