10 Corso Como

Book excerpt: Carla Sozzani opened Galleria Carla Sozzani in September 1990 as a space for art, photography, and design housed in a converted garage at 10 Corso Como in Milan. Along with American artist Kris Ruhs, Sozzani created a space like no other. Rejecting ordinary retail norms, this concept store has always promoted a different philosophy—that of slow shopping, a succession of spaces and events that prioritize lifestyle over object acquisition. In this book, Sozzani describes her world: her style, personal taste, and opinions on fashion, travel, design, and lifestyle. The Galleria now incorporates a bookshop, a fashion and design store, and a garden café, and it is one of Milan’s hippest and most exquisitely curated spaces—a destination in itself. 10 Corso Como has become the nexus of a global network of cultural exchange through fashion, food, art, and photography that continues to inspire fashion and design. In recent years, two additional locations have been added: 10 Corso Como–Comme des Garçons in Tokyo in 2002 and a Seoul branch in 2008.