Behind the Scenes at Cabana with Miguel Flores-Vianna

The Editor's Circle: Cabana's new online talks are a space for inspiration and connection, inviting our audience into the soul of Cabana, one conversation at a time. Read on for an insight into the inaugural live event where Martina Mondadori and Miguel Flores-Vianna discussed the new issue of the magazine and Miguel's recent travels to Uzbekistan.

BY LUCREZIA LUCAS | THE EDITOR'S CIRCLE  | 27 SEPTEMBER 2024

Cabana's deputy editor, Miguel Flores-Vianna, and Editor-in-Chief Martina Mondadori, photographed at Martina's home in Milan for The Editor's Circle

On September 25, 2024, Cabana launched The Editor’s Circle, a new series of live, intimate conversations with visionaries and creatives. The first event, held at the Milan home of Cabana founder and Editor-in-Chief Martina Mondadori, featured a lively dialogue between Martina and Deputy Editor, Miguel Flores-Vianna.

Martina described The Editor’s Circle as, “a way to invite members of the Big Cabana Family - decorators, fashion designers, people who inspire me - to share [a glimpse into their creative world] by discussing anything that is currently moving us here at Cabana.” This sentiment set the tone for a conversation that wandered seamlessly from travel to artistry, capturing the essence of Cabana’s nomadic spirit.

The discussion centred around the new issue of Cabana Magazine (launching October 16th), and the brand's new Silk Road tabletop collection, both of which are inspired by Miguel’s recent travels to Uzbekistan. "I went on one of those big Cabana trips,” Miguel shared, recounting his journey through Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, places that became the heart and foundation of the latest issue. His stories of vibrant mosaics, historic monuments and the hospitality of local artisans painted a vivid picture of the culture that inspired both the new issue, and the Silk Road Collection: linens, plates and glassware, all crafted by artisans whose craft traditions span generations.

The pair explored the deeper connections between place, pattern and personal expression. As Miguel mused on the role of nature and decoration in Uzbek culture, and told stories of sand-storms and Suzani merchants, Martina observed that The Editor’s Circle might become a form of “armchair travel,” allowing the Cabana community to journey through these distant lands via stories and imagery.

Cabana readers were curious to learn more about Miguel’s creative decisions, his transition from magazine editor to photographer, and how he prepares for a shoot, while others sought to dive deeper into the heart of Cabana itself. One viewer asked: “How do you choose which homes to feature and which destinations to cover in upcoming issues of Cabana? What do you look for?”

Martina’s response offered a glimpse into her editorial vision: “What we always look for is the soul of a place. I know it’s difficult to define, but it’s not about one particular thing. When people associate Cabana with maximalism, it doesn’t quite resonate with me. It’s not about maximalism; it’s about the soul. If the person living in a space has truly infused it with their personality—textiles casually thrown in the corners, objects from a life well-lived—that’s a home with soul."

The event included a special reveal: the new Lesage Collector's Limited Edition Box-set N22, crafted in partnership with Chanel and featuring many of Miguel's photographs. Only 500 copies of this highly anticipated edition will be available, each featuring exclusive tweeds created by Chanel’s Maison Lesage in Paris. “You’ll never find a jacket or coat or bag with these two tweeds,” Martina shared.