“Diwali in Milan” brings Milan’s fashion, luxury, and design communities together at Cittamani

Conceived and organized by Divya Singh in partnership with Cittamani Milano and San Simone Winery, the Festival of Lights dinner was held under the patronage of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Italy.

Members and friends of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Italy (ICCI) joined professionals from Milan’s fashion, luxury, and design industries at Cittamani Milano for “Diwali in Milano,” an evening celebrating India’s Festival of Lights. The highlight of the event was a Diwali dinner curated by Chef Ritu Dalmia, offering guests an opportunity to experience Indian culture through food, hospitality, and conversation.

For Divya Singh, who conceived and organized the evening, the decision to bring these communities together around a dinner table defined the celebration. Guests who knew one another professionally had the chance to meet in a more personal setting. Those joining the Chamber’s community for the first time were able to do so through a shared experience. For guests familiar with Diwali, it was an opportunity to share a tradition close to home. For others, the invitation offered an introduction to the festival in the company of people who celebrate it.

A Meeting of Cultures Around the Table

Cittamani Milano and San Simone Winery partnered with Divya Singh to bring the evening to life. As both the venue and a partner, Cittamani provided a home for the celebration in Milan, while Chef Ritu Dalmia’s dinner placed Indian culinary traditions at the heart of the occasion. The participation of San Simone Winery brought an Italian wine producer into the exchange. Together, the partners made the meal itself part of the dialogue between the two countries.

For a gathering that included people working in fashion and design, the setting held special significance. A textile, a piece of jewelry, or a dish can all evoke a sense of place. The people who create them decide which techniques to preserve, what to reinterpret, and how to introduce their work to a new audience. A celebration such as Diwali offers a personal way to explore these questions, giving people who might ordinarily meet as buyers, designers, or business partners the chance to get to know one another as hosts and guests.

A Look Ahead to ICCI’s Fashion & Luxury Stream

The evening also brought together members of the creative community with whom ICCI looks forward to working more closely. Divya Singh will lead the establishment and development of ICCI’s Fashion & Luxury Stream, providing these industries with a dedicated point of contact within the Chamber and helping professionals in Italy and India connect with one another based on shared interests.

For ICCI, extending its sponsorship to Diwali in Milan reflects the importance of occasions where a professional relationship can begin with a personal connection. Trade missions and industry meetings provide companies with a forum to discuss projects. A dinner like this gives the people behind those companies time to discover what they have in common and a reason to continue the conversation.

ICCI extends its warm thanks to Divya Singh for her vision and efforts in organizing the celebration, to Anandjit Singh, Cittamani Milano, and Chef Ritu Dalmia, and to San Simone Winery and Purnima Duggal for their partnership. We are grateful to the members and friends who joined us around the table and look forward to welcoming them again as the Chamber continues its work with the Italian and Indian creative communities.