“I started Collecto when I was curating my wedding registry and couldn’t find a platform that offered a selection of distinctive pieces. Collecto has now evolved to become a curated homeware retailer that offers a bespoke curation service to guide couples and private clients with their tableware curation, and collaborate with interior designers to help curate pieces for their clients as well.”— Federika Longinotti Buitoni

Where are you from and where do you live currently? I was born to a Venezuelan mother and an Italian father, and lived in Venezuela until I was 17 years old. I live on the Venetian Islands in Miami Beach. 

What drew you to Miami? I moved to Miami in the summer of 2018 after finishing my MBA at Wharton because my husband lived in Miami at that time. I thought it was an interesting city to start a company, especially in the design space. On a personal level, Miami is a wonderful city. The climate, the beach, the people, the culture... Since I work with European and Latin American brands, the location is very central. I have been very pleased to see many positive changes in Miami these past few years! 

Why did you decide to start Collecto? I started Collecto when I was curating my wedding registry and couldn’t find a platform that offered a selection of distinctive pieces — most platforms carry traditional brands, and I wanted something different; discovery objects that no one had. I also felt there was no guidance to help couples with their curation for it to be well-thought and aligned with their needs. Collecto has now evolved to become a curated homeware retailer that offers a bespoke curation service to guide couples and private clients with their tableware curation, and collaborate with interior designers to help curate pieces for their clients as well.

What was the inspiration behind your wedding? I got married in Antigua, Guatemala, a city that is absolutely magical. I wanted to get married in Latin America to stay close to my roots, and was looking for a small colonial town. When I first visited Antigua I immediately fell in love with the energy, the colors, the people, and the volcanoes that surround it. We hosted a welcome party at an 18th-century convent with Spanish Baroque architecture. We had typical Guatemalan food to welcome our guests with local flavors. The wedding was also outdoors, in a garden filled with trees and surrounded by antique stone walls. I wanted the decor, florals and tableware to be vibrant, something different from the traditional. We used fuchsia, orange, moss green, yellows, and violet — it was fabulous!

Favorite Miami locales? Miami’s growth after the pandemic has been extraordinary, and this goes to restaurants and bars as well. For classics, I love Mandolin and Sapore di Mare, always with a great ambiance and food. Ahi Sushi is a hole in the wall but the sushi is fantastic. Il Giardino at Mr. C is a great spot for a work breakfast or coffee as well. The Miami Design District is my go-to for shopping — it has wonderful furniture stores and galleries as well. For museums, I really like the ICA, Rubell Museum, Nader Museum, and The Bass in Miami Beach.

You hosted events and attended many of the major art and design fairs, including Salone del Mobile. How was your experience? I absolutely loved it — the vibrant energy of the city, the incredible design, the wonderful people I met. I can’t wait to go back! My favorite exhibits were Alcova, Dimore Studio, and Lee Broom. For food, I had a fabulous spaghetti alle vongole with bottarga at Il Consolare which was my favorite - low-key but very good. Giacomo Bistro was also fun and great.

I know you entertain and cook quite a bit! Any signature dishes? I love to cook, especially when I invite family or friends home for lunch or dinner. Sesame-crusted tuna with ginger and a fennel and apple salad with pinenuts and goat cheese are classics. I like having a full bar for guests to indulge in what they want. Mezcal, soda, and a splash of grapefruit juice is my go-to these days. \

As a Venezuelan and Italian– how did the combination of cultures affect you and entertaining? What are the differences between the two? My heritage is a big part of who I am. My Venezuelan mother gave me that feminine, Latin American flair, and the love for vibrant colors and textures; my Italian father, that passion for beautiful, timeless design. Collecto’s aesthetics is driven by this combination of cultures that I’ve combined and made into my own. It has been wonderful to grow up with two cultures. Both give a lot of importance to family which is something I love. This in turn influenced the way I entertain because we would always do big family gatherings while I was growing up. Food is very important for Italians — the idea of eating well and cooking with fresh organic ingredients. My Venezuelan side adds some spice to these gatherings, a sense of humor, and a vibrant fun spirit! 

The secret to a great dinner party? One of the most important things about entertaining is to enjoy the process—planning the menu, cooking, setting the table, curating the playlist…and this can only be achieved if you are doing it your way instead of trying to fulfill other people’s expectations. In the end, it’s about creating memories and moments of connection with your family and friends. The energy and spirit of the host during the dinner is also very important. The more relaxed, the more at ease guests will feel. And of course, good food and drinks will make the evening complete! 

Tips for setting the perfect table? A perfect table is one that is cohesive with the ambiance and environment of the gathering. Think about the theme and the menu, and find a color palette that compliments them. Layering the table with different pieces such as tablecloth, placemats, and charger plates, and using a diversity of materials gives the table an interesting and sophisticated look. 

How do you find and source your designers? Instagram is such a powerful tool for sourcing. Another way is attending design fairs such as Maison & Objet in Paris and Design Week in Milan. I love talking about Collecto with new and old friends – during these conversations new ideas and brand suggestions often come up! 

Where are most of your designers based? We began with a curation of Italian brands, and then started expanding to other European countries like France, Spain and Austria. I always wanted to bring my diversity of cultures to Collecto, so we then curated a selection of brands from different countries in Latin America, starting with Mexico and Colombia. 

Best hostess gift? A coffee table book of a theme/topic the person loves. I also love sending a beautiful flower arrangement ahead of the dinner. 

Any recommendations for couples creating their first wedding registry? The first thing couples should do is think about what kinds of pieces they want, and how they like to entertain at home. The selection process should be very thoughtful and aligned with their needs and desires. We recommend a formal and informal dinnerware set, including dinner and dessert plates, glasses, flatware, and linens. Then think about decorative pieces or other accessories for the table such as serving pieces, vases, and candleholders. For couples that like to entertain at home, receiving the pieces of a beautiful dinnerware set is really exciting. 

Best wedding gift you received? The best was a set of Laboratorio Paravicini’s Serpenti dinner plates. They’re elegant, fun, and unique, and they always create an impact! There’s nothing like a worst gift — every gift is a pleasure to receive!

Do you prefer to host or go out? Hosting at home, almost always! I feel that it creates a more intimate environment, longer and deeper conversations, and more space to dance and have fun. 

What is your hosting wardrobe? It really depends on the atmosphere I want to create for that particular gathering, and I often mix it up. I have a couple of silk printed sets that I love because they are very comfortable, I usually wear flats for comfort as well. Other times I get inspired and dress up. 

Upcoming travel plans? I am spending a month in Italy which I am really excited about! First Milan for Design Week, then Venice for the Biennale. I find these are both incredible sources of inspiration for Collecto. Then my family joins and we are going to spend two weeks in the mountains - first the Dolomites and then the Alps. Spending time in nature is the best way to disconnect from our everyday routines. We will stop by San Sepolcro and Paciano, two small towns in Tuscany and Umbria where my family is from. It’s always special to visit family and go back to my roots. We’ll finish the trip with the Eolie Islands in Sicily; Lipari, Stromboli and a few days in Panarea!

For more information visit: www.collectoworld.com @collectoworld