ELEGANCE AS AN ACT OF LOVE
Maria Mantero has that kind of charm that could effortlessly catapult her into the glamour of Hollywood cinema. Her elegant profile, magazine-cover smile, refined manners, and education—she holds a degree in Art History and Civilization from the Sorbonne—make her a true lady. And yet, those who know her well are aware of this: eternally in love with the shores of her beloved Lake Como, she is a woman of such refined grace that she would never seek the spotlight simply to celebrate her own beauty. Instead, since 2016, she has devoted herself to honoring the beauty of other women—especially those undergoing cancer treatment. For these women, Maria created the charitable project Dee Di Vita, together with her cousin Lucia Mantero, in collaboration with Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital and the initiative Salute allo Specchio (Beauty in the Mirror), which was founded by Maria, Lucia, and lifelong friend, photographer Guido Taroni.
Blazer MARCELLO
Dress WALLEGRAL
A concept of beauty that breaks away from the rhetoric typically associated with a difficult time such as “therapy,” offering psychological and social support to women who are facing treatment with a smile—wearing a silk turban adorned with floral prints drawn from the Mantero archive. Mantero is a historic Como-based company founded in 1902—Maria is one of its heirs—renowned for its high-quality textiles and boasting a historical archive of over 60,000 original scarves and thousands of hand-drawn designs.
Maria, who quite literally grew up in the world of fashion, is also an advisor for luxury brands and fashion companies, focusing particularly on building strategic relationships that generate value and enhance brand identity. Her ability to connect people, opportunities, and markets has played a key role in the growth and success of prestigious international luxury companies. Over the past six years, she has also expanded her expertise into the cybersecurity sector, bringing her in-depth knowledge into a field that has become increasingly vital for the protection and success of global enterprises.
For Fortela, Maria posed on the shores of Lake Como, breathing in the air of her childhood and reconnecting with that timeless esprit that is so inherently hers. We interviewed her.
Shirt WBONNIE
Pants WJALEAH
Belts OLIVIA
If you had to describe your idea of style, where would you begin?
My idea of style is born from a deep family tradition and is rooted in the habits and culture my mother, Augusta, passed on to me. She was a woman who loved to dress with care and attention. She couldn’t stand what she called “sloppiness.” From an early age, she taught me that even if you're just going out to buy lemons, you can—and should—present yourself with decorum. I really identify with that lesson: I like to take care of myself, and I like to like what I see. Style is culture, it’s study, it’s experimentation. It’s memory.
Studying the past, for instance, is essential in my view—it always comes back in the present. To look, observe, sharpen your eye. As Federico Zeri used to say: the eye needs to be trained.
You were born into silk: is there a particular fabric you love?
I love structured fabrics: linen, cotton, canvas—even a bold, substantial silk, woven to have body and personality. The garments I wore for this shoot embodied all of that. Natural materials carry a different kind of energy. They make you shine with another kind of vibration.
And I’ve always loved vintage—or rather, what I call “emotional second-hand.” My mother passed away eleven years ago, and even today, wearing her clothes feels like she’s still with me—like a hug. For me, vintage is a way to honor those who have been part of our lives.
Shirt WNTEX
Skirt WNICEA
Can you tell us about your charitable project, Dee di Vita?
Our project began almost nine years ago. We truly believe in the idea of the “suspended turban”: a gesture of care for those going through a difficult time. We’ve been carrying it forward with great conviction for the past three years. The silk turban can be purchased online; we select one of the available prints and take care of sending the gift to a patient undergoing cancer treatment at San Raffaele Hospital.
We’re currently working on new ideas—but they’re still top secret. Our approach is always guided by a sense of beauty and aesthetics, and the funds we raise are directed immediately to where they’re most needed. And who knows—maybe in 2026 a collaboration with Fortela will take shape. That would be a dream. One of Fortela’s symbols is the bandana, which to me is a kind of “gypsy scarf”—one of their most authentic stylistic markers. It would be wonderful to develop something along those lines.
What do you love about Fortela?
I find it fascinating how their masculine style translates so effortlessly and elegantly into womenswear. The pieces designed by Alessia Giacobino for women are ultra-chic and blend seamlessly with a masculine wardrobe.
Some of my favorite outfits are born that way. In the photoshoot, I wore a stunning silk tunic with iconic details, paired with a men’s blazer. Or I wore an oversized jacket that I cinched at the waist, turning it into something deeply personal.
Fortela has this incredible sense of color: the reds, the burnt oranges, the turquoises—mixed with earthy tones. I love that mood; it reflects the spirit of a cultured traveler.
Dress WALLWGRAL
Is there a piece in your wardrobe that you love the most?
The blazer. It gives me confidence and structure. Right after that, the coat. And then the scarf—iconic, indispensable. I never forget it. Tied around the neck, on a bag, worn as a belt, on the head… or even just folded neatly in my handbag. It’s always the accessory that transforms a look, and it’s incredibly practical. Another lesson from my mother.
Your soul place?
The lake. My lake—Lake Como. I love it. It’s pure energy, it’s roots, it’s love. There’s a scent in the air that only someone born there can recognize. We shot the photos for this feature at sunset, on a boat—and that place moves me every time, even now that I’m fifty.
And then there’s the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, with that pool floating on the lake… it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world.
