10 Corso Como Opens in Seoul

The world's first concept store pioneer 10 Corso Como expands its wing outside its chic Milano domain with a new sister store in the cosmopolitan and fast-paced city of Seoul, Korea.

Retaining the same concept, the new store features a square building with entirely glass façade adorned with its trademark circular logo created by American artist Kris Ruhs.

Going back to how it started, the iconic 10 Corso Como was founded 17 years ago by former fashion editor Carla Sozzani. With an initial start of just $200 000.00, she created a wonderland of everything nice, combining both art, fashion, and food all under one roof.

It was early 90's and the word "concept store" was something foreign (not until Louis Vuitton came up with the same idea and began opening concept stores around the world) but despite of all odds, Sozzani's 10 Corso Como successfully became the place for the stylish yet fashionable flocks from around the globe to meet and be seen in style while spending their time either shopping or attending the fashion week in Milan.

Designed as a virtual layout a fashion magazine, the concept store comprises of an art gallery, called the Carla Sozzani gallery, a boutique filled with fashionable getups and knick knacks to treasure, a cafe that serves great contemporary Italian food adjourning towards its beautiful seasonal garden and an exclusive three-suite hotel cheekily known as The 3 Room hotel for guests who wanted to savour hospitality in 10 Corso Como style.

The art gallery houses spectacular works by renowned artists as well as books on arts and fashion and at the moment, the works of aesthetic photographer Giselle Freund featuring portraits of well-known intellectuals , artisans and writers since the end of 30's are on exhibition from 13th January to 24th February followed by Barnaba Fornasetti's Roubini Rugs Work of Arts exhibition on 27th February till 2nd of March 2008.

While shopping, for most of us tend to be a loud and hectic affair, here time runs really slow and slow shopping is the method preached by Sozzani at her unique department store.

Selling great concurrence of designer items (Kate Moss for Topshop included), knick knacks and souvenirs worth treasure, for those who are seeking refuge from the overcrowded retail strips of Milan and Seoul, you have come to the right place.

After spending your entire day here, end it up with a decent Italian meal at the Cafe or sit and relax at the season garden while waiting the time to pass by unnoticed. Refuse to leave the heavenly retail wonderland?

Then spend a night or two at one of the three suites at the infamous 3 Room hotel with each suites come with their own entrances. The upcoming 10 Corso Como store in Seoul, Korea will be opened in March 2008.

*Photos courtesy of 10 Corso Como.

10 Corso Como - Corso Como 10, 20154 Milan, Italy.