From Flounder to Flair

FOR NATIVES OF NEW YORK, THE PAIRING OF THE name Fulton Fish Market with the adjective “chic” prompts a case of cognitive dissonance. But the building in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, once home to the mackerel trade (the fish market moved to the Bronx in 2005), has since September housed the first American location of 10 Corso Como, the Milanese concept store—an art gallery/fashion boutique/restaurant hybrid—founded by Carla Sozzani in 1991. Adjacent to the new, now luxe-oriented South Street Seaport, the market building’s industrial facade provides a strong contrast to 10 Corso Como’s sleek, fluorescent interior. Designed by Sozzani’s partner, Kris Ruhs, the shop’s signature circle motif dominates the space, from light fixtures to rugs to sustainable flower arrangements.

Featuring a restaurant, café, gallery, and store, the space holds true to 10 Corso Como’s vision of the ideal “slow shopping” experience. An open floor plan makes it easy to browse the shop’s judiciously curated collection of books, fashion, design, and artworks. The New York location sells many of the same designer brands as the Milan site, including Salvatore Ferragamo, Comme des Garçons, and Saint Laurent Paris. If you tire of shopping, just stroll over to the restaurant and café for a bite. The menu sticks to Corso Como’s Milanese roots, offering fresh Italian dishes for lunch or dinner by chef Jordon Frosolone.

Once you’ve had your fill, walk across the space to the gallery for a beautiful view of the East River and the South Street Seaport Museum’s fleet. Corso Como’s inaugural exhibition was a collection of Helmut Newton photographs, a series of black-and-white high fashion and commercial shots. Next up is Salvador Dalí, Jean Clemmer: An Encounter, a Work, curated by Fondazione Sozzani in collaboration with the Jean Clemmer archive, on view until February 3, 2019.

A mix of culture and commerce, Sozzani thinks of her store as a “living magazine,” allowing visitors to walk through the pages of their favorite publications, and enjoy a more physical experience of the art and design on display. Whether you are shopping or just browsing, the space is worth a slow visit.