Giorgio Armani and Cabana Take Over Castle Howard for a Two-Day Fête

Martina Mondadori, Victoria HowardPhoto: German Larkin

Giorgio Armani and Castle Howard brought the pages of the interior design magazine Cabana to life with a two-night party replete with silk rooms and tables decked out with white flowers and red roses in York late last month.

With luggage labels and train tickets designed by illustrator Fin Fellowes, the journey began by train from London’s Kings Cross station. Once inside the castle walls in York, there was plenty of socializing, feasting, and chit-chat between guests, including Alexa Chung, Tim Walker, Sarah Mower, Amanda and Christopher Brooks, Nicole Ching, Martina Mondadori, Maria de la Orden and Blanca Miro. The event was hosted by Nicholas and Victoria Howard, as well as their daughter, Blanche (a Giorgio Armani Ambassador).

Guests were greeted with a gold booklet outlining the itinerary with details of the castle’s elaborate floor plan before meandering through Remy Renzullo’s recently redecorated rooms. They also walked the estate grounds, marveling at the famous Temple of the Four Winds, mausoleum, and gardens. The drinks reception was combined with a serenade by a string quartet as everyone sipped shot glass martinis (dirty and dry) inspired by Harry’s Bar.

Next came an informal tea service and a formal four-course dinner decorated with a tablescape of flowers by Lil Caldwell of London-based florist Grandirosa. On the menu? Confit salmon, ravioli, and dover sole, prepared by five Armani chefs headed up by Antonio D’Angelo, all of whom were all flown over from Milan for the occasion. Dancing late into the night was followed by another day filled with festivities, including a speech by Cabana editor-in-chief Martina Mondadori all about Cabana and Giorgio Armani’s shared love of the decorative arts.

Castle Howard has been the home of the Howard family for over 300 years; designed by the 18th century polymath Sir John Vanbrugh. And Cabana recently made its grand halls the feature of its recent issue, honing in on all the grand details of the space. Dressed to the nines in Armani, each guest had their portraits taken by the photographer German Larkin.

It’s no wonder Armani selected the location as the mise-en-scène for its latest runway collections–with its inherent glamor, which has naturally inspired Armani’s recent flapper-era silhouettes. With its opulently domed, baroque-inspired details in the heart of Yorkshire, it’s the perfect place for a lavish castle party to surprise and delight.