themed party
Milleluci themed party – Villa Cipressi
MILLELUCI THEMED PARTY: THE CASE STUDY AT VILLA CIPRESSI ON LAKE COMO
“The lights dim. The first notes begin to drift through the gardens overlooking Lake Como. On the big screen, images unfold, taking guests back in time to the golden age of Italian television. Then, almost without realizing it, the guests are no longer simply spectators: they become part of the show.”
This is the feeling we wanted to create for the 2026 Festa della Regina, the annual event hosted by Hotel Villa Cipressi, one of the most enchanting venues on Lake Como.
After the client chose the theme for the evening – Milleluci, the iconic RAI variety show starring Mina and Raffaella Carrà – our task was to turn that inspiration into a fully developed concept, designed to engage guests and immerse them in the atmosphere of a bygone era.
From Idea to Concept: Designing an Experience to be lived
The question we asked ourselves from the very beginning was:
How can we let guests experience the magic of Milleluci without simply recreating its visual aesthetic?
We knew the answer couldn’t be as simple as putting on a musical show.
The goal was to design a themed party as a narrative journey, one in which every guest could feel like a protagonist, stepping into the atmosphere of Italy’s great variety-show era from the very first moments.
Starting from the brief shared with the client, we developed a concept that reinterpreted Milleluci through a contemporary lens, while preserving its elegance, glamour and light-hearted spirit. As outlined in the creative project, the experience unfolded throughout the evening through music, performances, scenic design and interactive moments.
From Concept to Reality:
The details that bring the story to life
A themed party truly works when every element tells the same story.
For this reason, during the planning process, we asked ourselves another question:
If guests were to truly step into the world surrounding the RAI studios of Milleluci, what would they expect to find?
This reflection led to several creative choices:
- Two of our singers performing as Mina and Raffaella Carrà
- Dancers inspired by the iconic Kessler Twins
- Paparazzi making guests feel like true celebrities
- A custom illuminated Milleluci sign
- An original Lambretta for a themed photo corner
- A vintage Jukebox
- A vintage Flipper
- 1970s-inspired lounge furniture
- Black-and-white floral arrangements
- Table lamps coordinated with the event concept
None of these performers or elements served a purely decorative purpose; instead, they became powerful storytelling tools.
Small details that, together, created a cohesive and immersive experience. Because it is precisely these details that transform a simple setting into a lasting and unforgettable memory.
A welcome that made every guest feel like a star
Even before dinner began, the story was already unfolding.
As guests stepped through the entrance of Villa Cipressi, they were welcomed by visual performers, paparazzi and an atmosphere inspired by the glamour of 1970s Italian television.
A large illuminated sign welcomed guests, while an original Lambretta, a vintage Jukebox and other scenic elements helped create an instantly recognisable atmosphere.
They were more than just props: they were details designed to evoke memories, spark conversations and set the stage for the experience that would unfold throughout the evening.
Technical production: technology at the Service of the Experience
Every light, every piece of video content and every sound element had to support the narrative without ever overpowering it.
For this reason, we designed a fully integrated technical control system, capable of coordinating lighting, audio and multimedia content in real time.
Lighting Design
Lighting accompanied every stage of the evening, enhancing the villa’s architecture, guiding guests’ attention during the performances, highlighting the buffet areas and transforming the indoor spaces for the final DJ set.
Sound
The sound system was distributed throughout the venue to ensure a seamless and consistent listening experience, while maintaining the right atmosphere in every space.
Video Experience
One of the most iconic elements of the project was the video projection onto the façade of the villa.
Visuals inspired by 1970s Italian television interacted with the live performances, creating a seamless dialogue between memory and contemporary entertainment.
We also recreated RAI’s iconic television interlude, adapting it to the evocative scenery of Lake Como and bringing back fond memories.
A show that came to life among the guests
Rather than simply watching a show, guests became part of an ever-evolving narrative.
Singers, dancers, visual performers and musicians moved throughout the villa, accompanying the dinner with carefully curated performances designed to surprise guests without interrupting the natural flow of the evening.
The result was an elegant, dynamic and deeply engaging experience.
Behind the scenes: the challenges of producing an event on Lake Como
Behind every successful event lies a great deal of preparation.
For Festa della Regina, the entire setup had to be completed in a single day, while managing the logistical challenges of a multi-level venue with particularly demanding loading and unloading access.
Adding to the complexity of the production were the summer heat and uncertain weather conditions, which, until just a few hours before the event, left open the possibility of having to rethink some of the outdoor spaces.
It is precisely these challenges, handled through careful planning, coordination and adaptability, that allow everything to feel effortless from the guests’ perspective.
The result
Our goal for the evening was for guests to leave with the memory of a special experience and the feeling of having been part of a truly unique event.
The enthusiasm of the guests and the extremely positive feedback from the management of Hotel Villa Cipressi confirmed that we had achieved our goal: transforming a gala dinner into an elegant, engaging and truly immersive experience.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Villa Cipressi for the trust placed in us, for the enthusiasm shown towards the project, and for the valuable positive feedback received from both the owners and the guests who attended.
Let’s design your next experience together
Every event begins with an idea.
We turn that idea into a concept, develop it down to the finest detail, and bring it to life by seamlessly coordinating creativity, technical production and entertainment.
For the 2025 edition of Festa della Regina, we drew inspiration from the fantastical world of Alice in Wonderland to create Alice in Wonderlake, an artistic concept designed to transport guests into an unexpected and entirely new dimension on Lake Como. Discover how we transformed another theme into an experience.
If you’re envisioning a themed party, a gala dinner or an exclusive celebration on Lake Como, we’d be delighted to create a bespoke experience together with you.
