MILAN — After launching a homeware and lifestyle range in 2022, Antik Batik and Cabana are joining forces again on an apparel capsule collection that draws inspiration from the Silk Road trade route between East and West opened by Marco Polo and the consequent cultural crosspollination that has inspired artisans for centuries.
The Parisian brand established by Gabriella Cortese and best known for its bohemian-chic aesthetic rich in embroideries and block printing has developed a six-piece collection to be launched next month. At the same time, the interiors magazine and decorative arts publication cofounded by Martina Mondadori in 2014 will release its October issue, also dedicated to the Silk Road.
Cortese recalled being introduced to Mondadori by a mutual friend and immediately forming a strong connection with her. “We discovered many shared passions, such as our love for Italy, our enthusiasm for travel, our fascination with vintage treasures and our penchant for blending the old with the new. And, of course, our shared appreciation for fine craftsmanship,” Cortese said.
“I’ve been a fan of Antik Batik forever,” echoed Mondadori, revealing she has worn the brand since she was 16 and confirming the sense of curiosity and “interest for heritage, cultures and the various crafts to be found the world over” she shares with Cortese.
Antik Batik’s Gabriella Cortese and Cabana’s Martina Mondadori.
Carmine Romano/Courtesy of Antik Batik
Cortese said that for their second collaboration the duo wanted to develop “a capsule collection that reflects a sense of chic nomadism — a collection that merges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, a principle that both of us live by in our everyday lives.”
“I have always been captivated by the cross cultural exchange of ideas, crafts and more along the iconic trade route and inspired by the incredible journey that Marco Polo began around 1270 as a young 17-year-old boy from Venice, venturing all the way to the court of Kublai Khan. He was the first and only Westerner to be accepted at the Mongol Levant court, which extended as far as Damascus and covered nearly half the globe,” said the designer of the famed merchant, the 700th anniversary of whose death falls this year.
“For over 30 years, through Antik Batik, I have celebrated the artisans’ incredible work with whom I have collaborated since I first met their grandparents,” continued Cortese, whose collections frequently incorporate patterns and weaving techniques specific to regions like India and Southeast Asia.
The Roza vest, part of the Antik Batik x Cabana Silk Road capsule collection.
Courtesy of Antik Batik
Cortese developed the capsule during her latest trip to India. The result includes a hand-printed cotton blouse and long dress; a wool coat and vest embellished with tonal embroideries; an Afghan-inspired vest adorned with vivid motifs, and an opulent, fully hand-embroidered version punctuated by tiny crystals and nodding to the intricate artistry of the Byzantine era.
“This capsule collection is the result of nearly a year of ongoing dialogue between Martina and me, exploring how our visions could intersect and complement one another,” said Cortese, who also stressed the differences between this line and the previous collaboration, which focused on tableware, so “movement was not taken into consideration.”
The Hada dress, part of the Antik Batik x Cabana Silk Road capsule collection.
Courtesy of Antik Batik
“Movement is a crucial element of my creative process because I want those who wear my collection to feel freedom in their movements. Additionally, the style one chooses for their home does not necessarily translate to what they wish to wear,” said Cortese, adding the goal was to “highlight our deep love for craftsmanship and handmade artistry and to bring these values to the forefront of the conversation. We believe it is essential to preserve these traditions at all costs.”
No wonder the top priority in Cortese’s future plans for Antik Batik is to strengthen the business while maintaining strong relationships with the artisans it collaborates with. “We have many trips and discoveries planned for this year, from exploring Indian printers and ancient Chinese arts to learning about the Xi’an warriors, Mongolian costumes, Peruvian weavers, and reconnecting with my Hungarian roots, the land of my ancestors,” she said.
The Winnie coat, part of the Antik Batik x Cabana Silk Road capsule collection.
Courtesy of Antik Batik
Priced between 195 euros and 525 euros, the Antik Batik x Cabana Silk Road capsule collection will launch on Oct. 2 on both brand’s e-commerce as well as at Antik Batik’s store in Paris and Cabana’s store in Milan, which opened during Salone del Mobile this year.
The platform’s first-ever retail space was part of the activations marking Cabana’s 10th anniversary this year and was celebrated with a dedicated collection of artisanal linens, rattan accessories, hand-painted glassware and porcelain dinnerware produced by Ginori 1735. Mondadori said The Anniversary Edition of the Cabana Anthology will be also released next month. It will pay tribute to the best stories from the past decade and “perfectly rounds off our homage to the Silk Road as it features some incredibly inspiring editorials from along the route.”
The Antik Batik x Cabana Silk Road capsule collection.
Carmine Romano/Courtesy of Antik Batik
Mondadori and Cortese are not the only ones to have referenced the trade route and Polo’s journey recently. The Venetian merchant – who traveled from Europe to Asia in the 13th century, living in China for 17 years and describing his experiences in his book “Il Milione” – already served as inspiration for the Max Mara resort 2025 collection presented earlier this year at Palazzo Ducale in Venice. The Gothic location is also currently running an exhibition dedicated to Polo, while one titled “Silk Roads” will open on Sept. 26 at the British Museum in London.