The setting was warm and familial (yes, there was even a fireplace), calling to mind Demna’s imagined Gucci La Famiglia. Valeria Golino—the evening’s radiant hostess—went dramatic in all black, complete with a sculptural neckline. “Cinemoda Club is a first, a risky and subversive experiment,” Golino told the room between courses of saffron risotto and Da Vittorio’s jewel-box desserts, her words punctuated by floral tablescapes from Tearose and poetic paper sculptures by Libribianchi. Spotting Julianne Moore across the room with husband Bart Freundlich, Golino laughed, “I’ve only been speaking Italian—sorry!”

Soon the conversation shifted into English, picking up on Wintour’s own remarks: “I’m delighted to welcome you to this initiative that brings together three of my favorite things: cinema, fashion, and impeccable organization. Fashion makes cinema real; cinema makes fashion dream.” Her quip drew chuckles when she gestured to Louisa Jacobson, Meryl Streep’s daughter, with a nod to The Devil Wears Prada—screening later in the festival.

As in any good Milanese salon, ideas flew between friends: Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini, the creative duo behind The Attico, mused on their new short film with Luisa Ranieri; designer Luca Magliano reflected on his own CineMagliano project from June. Elsewhere, Mariacarla Boscono glided through in Gucci, Donatella Versace traded words with Grigor Dimitrov, and a sea of Bottega Veneta clutches dotted the crowd. Two accessories stole the night: Greta Ferro’s furry stilettos (a bold choice given the drizzle) and Matilda De Angelis’s gravity-defying silver ear cuff.