Maddalena Scarzella

Credits
Photography
  Markus Jans
Interviews  Inga Krieger

Maddalena
Scarzella

Since when are you working
at 10 Corso Como?

Since 2 and a half years.

Birkenstock Corso Como

What is your background?
I am an architect but I always loved photography and eventually started working for a photography curator. 10 Corso Como was on my radar for its great exhibitions. One day I decided to just send my CV. They hired me and now I am in charge of the gallery. I work very closely with Carla choosing the artist and preparing the exhibitions.

What is the first thing that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?
Green. Everything is green and so quiet. Even when we are busy everyday, the garden always calms me down. I feel home here.

Can you share one unforgettable experience?
During my first week working at 10 Corso Como we were about to open an exhibition. It was winter and very cold. I think it was even snowing. One night before the opening
I received an email from Carla telling me to get a box full of Vin brulé, the hot wine with spices that you usually find at the street market during Christmas served in plastic cups. The fact that she wanted something so simple at a fancy opening made me fall in love with her right away. I immediately knew I am at the right place.

What is your relationship to Birkenstock?
I wear Birkenstocks as long as I remember although I never really liked them.
For travelling for example, they are perfect. But since this year I also appreciate them from a fashion point of view. The vibe of the brand has completely changed.
They are more elegant now.

What is your background?
I am an architect but I always loved photography and eventually started working for a photography curator. 10 Corso Como was on my radar for its great exhibitions. One day
I decided to just send my CV. They hired me and now I am in charge of the gallery. I work very closely with Carla choosing the artist and preparing the exhibitions.

What is the first thing
that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?

Green. Everything is green and so quiet. Even when we are busy everyday, the garden always calms me down. I feel home here.

Can you share one
unforgettable experience?

During my first week working at 10 Corso Como we were about to open an exhibition. It was winter and very cold. I think it was even snowing. One night before the opening I received an email from Carla telling me to get a box full of Vin brulé, the hot wine with spices that you usually find at the street market during Christmas served in plastic cups. The fact that she wanted something so simple at a fancy opening made me fall in love with her right away. I immediately knew I am at the right place.

What is your relationship
to Birkenstock?

I wear Birkenstocks as long as I remember although I never really liked them. For travelling for example, they are perfect. But since this year I also appreciate them from a fashion point of view.
The vibe of the brand has completely changed. They are more elegant now.

Maria Luisa Vozza

Maria Luisa Vozza

Since when are you
working at 10 Corso Como?

Since 10 years.

Birkenstock Corso Como

What is your background?
I came to Milan to study communication, design and fashion design. I worked here only for one summer but then I was hired as the first in house graphic designer for fashion. The Corso Como graphical language was developed by Kris Ruhs of course but we try to translate his drawings and art works into something that can be put on T–Shirts, postcards or other products.

What is the first thing that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?
It feels like walking towards beauty. Beauty is not only an aesthetical thing. Beauty is energy, a positive vibe. And that is all over the place.

What is your relationship to Birkenstock?
I wore Birkenstocks all my life. I got my first pair when I was 15 and I still wear them today. I cannot say that about any other shoe brand.

What is your background?
I came to Milan to study communication, design and fashion design. I worked here only for one summer but then I was hired as the first inhouse graphic designer for fashion. The Corso Como graphical language was developed by Kris Ruhs of course but we try to translate his drawings and art works into something that can be put on T–Shirts, postcards or other products.

What is the first thing
that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?

It feels like walking towards beauty. Beauty is not only an aesthetical thing. Beauty is energy, a positive vibe. And that is all over the place.

What is your relationship
to Birkenstock?

I wore Birkenstocks all my life. I got my first pair when I was 15 and I still wear them today. I cannot say that about any other shoe brand.

Mario Pescetto

Mario Pescetto

Since when are you
working at 10 Corso Como?

It’s almost 6 years.

Birkenstock Corso Como

What is your background?
I used to work for Gucci, but quit to establish my own business for small leather goods. One day I came back from the east and arrived in Milan. It was a sunny day and I just decided to stay. The first place I dropped my resume was at 10 Corso Como. Two weeks later they hired me. And I found myself at all the openings in Asia. That was exciting. Three years later I jumped into the restaurant, which I am fully in charge now.

What is the first thing that comes to your
attention when you walk in every morning?

I love plants and the first thing you see entering 10 Corso Como is the green garden. And luckily we are in Italy which is the place of the sun. Another thing I love: design is everywhere! Even in our office.

Can you share one unforgettable experience?
It was the Vogue Fashion Night Out a few years ago. Kris Ruhs designed a huge sculpture which weighed over 3000 kilos and was placed in front of the store
in the street. Five days before the night Carla realized the sculpture should be lighted.
Last minute we managed to organize an incredibly expansive lighting battery.
On the day of the opening Carla, just returning from China, said: Remove these boxes! They are horrible. You never know what to expect and that’s exciting!

What is your relationship to Birkenstock?
You either love or hate them. I always belonged to the second group. Until last summer though when I was on Ibiza. I bought my first pair and wore it all summer.

What is your background?
I used to work for Gucci, but quit to establish my own business for small leather goods. One day I came back from the east and arrived in Milan. It was a sunny day and I just decided to stay. The first place I dropped my resume was at 10 Corso Como. Two weeks later they hired me. And I found myself at all the openings in Asia. That was exciting. Three years later I jumped into the restaurant, which I am fully in charge now.

What is the first thing
that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?

I love plants and the first thing you see entering 10 Corso Como is the green garden. And luckily we are in Italy which is the place of the sun. Another thing I love: design is everywhere! Even in our office.

Can you share one
unforgettable experience?

It was the Vogue Fashion Night Out a few years ago. Kris Ruhs designed a huge sculpture which weighed over 3000 kilos and was placed in front of the store in the street. Five days before the night Carla realized the sculpture should be lighted. Last minute we managed to organize an incredibly expansive lighting battery.
On the day of the opening Carla, just returning from China, said: Remove these boxes! They are horrible. You never know what to expect and that’s exciting!

What is your relationship
to Birkenstock?

You either love or hate them.
I always belonged to the second group. Until last summer
though when I was on Ibiza.
I bought my first pair and wore it all summer.

Valentina Galbiati

Valentina Galbiati

Since when are you
working at 10 Corso Como?

Since 14 years.

Birkenstock Corso Como

What is your background?
I was studying architecture and interior design in Milan and just started working here two days a week to make some extra money. But Carla asked me to stay and a few weeks later I found myself being in Asia, where we opened several stores. I love these phases especially because we all work so closely together right before a opening. At 10 Corso Como in Milan I manage all the staff and am involved in the buying.

What is the first thing that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?
When I arrive I feel free. Of course we have lots of things to do but it doesn’t feel like work because you are at the store, the restaurant, the gallery and the office all at the same time. We are all so lucky to not have a job just sitting in front of a computer all day.

Can you share one unforgettable experience?
It was at the opening in Seoul. We were still waiting for some tables to arrive but they never came. We, the staff, were so worried, but Kris Ruhs stayed so calm. He just found another solution. Him and Carla are so easygoing people and I think that is very special. In other shops like 10 Corso Como you often feel this posh attitude. Not here, 10 Corso Como is family.


What is your relationship to Birkenstock?

My mum gave me my first pair, I think I was eight years old. I remember like it was yesterday: they were black pattern leather. Back then Birkenstocks were no fashion item at all and it was rather strange to wear them as a young kid. Now that has changed of course. Today I like to wear them with something like a Céline dress, actually anything. When Carla told me about this collaboration I couldn’t believe it.

What is your background?
I was studying architecture and interior design in Milan and just started working here two days a week to make some extra money. But Carla asked me to stay and a few weeks later I found myself being in Asia, where we opened several stores. I love these phases especially because we all work so closely together right before a opening. At 10 Corso Como in Milan I manage all the staff and am involved in the buying.

What is the first thing
that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?

When I arrive I feel free. Of course we have lots of things to do but it doesn’t feel like work because you are at the store, the restaurant, the gallery and the office all at the same time. We are all so lucky to not have a job just sitting in front of a computer all day.

Can you share one
unforgettable experience?

It was at the opening in Seoul. We were still waiting for some tables to arrive but they never came. We, the staff, were so worried, but Kris Ruhs stayed so calm. He just found another solution. Him and Carla are so easygoing people and I think that is very special. In other shops like 10 Corso Como you often feel this posh attitude. Not here, 10 Corso Como is family.


What is your relationship
to Birkenstock?

My mum gave me my first pair, I think I was eight years old. I remember like it was yesterday: they were black pattern leather. Back then Birkenstocks were no fashion item at all and it was rather strange to wear them as a young kid. Now that has changed of course. Today I like to wear them with something like a Céline dress, actually anything. When Carla told me about this collaboration I couldn’t believe it.

Anca Macavei

Anca Macavei

Since when are you
working at 10 Corso Como?

Since one year and a half.

Birkenstock Corso Como

What is your background?
I studied fashion communication in Rome, after that I moved to Milan. I used to work for Costume National but wanted a change. Since then I am handling the digital aspect, everything from our website over our blog to social media.

What is the first thing that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?
I feel happy and lucky. Not only the place has good energy it’s also the people working here. Personal things matter. It’s honestly the best work environment I’ve ever experienced.

Can you share one unforgettable experience?
It’s not a particular story it’s Carla. She is like a mother to every one of us.
She travels a lot and when she does we miss her — a lot!

What is your relationship to Birkenstock?
It makes me think of my youth. As a teenager I had this violet pair of sandals. It’s a good memory although I don’t wear Birkenstock today. But maybe after this collaboration this will change again.

What is your background?
I studied fashion communication in Rome, after that I moved to Milan. I used to work for Costume National but wanted a change. Since then I am handling the digital aspect, everything from our website over our blog to social media.

What is the first thing
that comes to your attention when you walk in every morning?

I feel happy and lucky. Not only the place has good energy it’s also the people working here. Personal things matter. It’s honestly the best work environment I’ve ever experienced.

Can you share one unforgettable experience?
It’s not a particular story it’s Carla. She is like a mother to every one
of us. She travels a lot and
when she does we miss her — a lot!

What is your relationship
to Birkenstock?

It makes me think of my youth.
As a teenager I had this violet pair of sandals. It’s a good memory although I don’t wear Birkenstock today. But maybe after this collaboration this will change again.