10 Corso Como – floral and resinous and elegantly Italian

Photo: perfumeniche©

The first time I visited Milan, we were on the way to somewhere else. We were driving through Italy, making our way north to meet up with friends in Geneva, and a couple of nights in Milan were on the itinerary.

Rome might be Italy's religious and political capital, but Milan is its financial and economic heart. It's a global leader in industrial design and architecture. It's also one of the world's great fashion capitals, along with London, New York and Paris, and home to Italian fashion brands like Valentino, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana.

I loved Milan the first time I saw it and have fallen more deeply in love each time I went back. It's a dynamic, vibrant and exciting city which comes from its juxtaposition of the old world, like The Duomo, La Scala and the new world, like the famous quadrilatero della moda ('quadrilateral of fashion'), the high-end shopping district considered to be the most important fashion district in the world.

There's plenty to do and see in Milan, and one place I always visit when I'm there is 10 Corso Como.

Opened in 1991 by former fashion editor and publisher Carla Sozzani, 10 Corso Como was one of the first concept stores anywhere. It was a revolutionary blending of culture and commerce that promoted lifestyle over just buying stuff by encouraging leisurely shopping through small rooms showcasing art, clothes, books, jewelery, shoes, make-up and fragrances. It was no surprise then when their first fragrance, called 10 Corso Como was launched in 1999.

When I started wearing this beauty, I knew we would have a life-long relationship.

On me, 10 Corso Como opens with a note of lush rose along with geranium; its rosy facet bolsters the rose. The florals linger before resting on a soft, woody aromatic sandalwood that is just sublime. 10 Corso Como loves body heat, and as it blooms, a resinous, seductive dark heart of oud is revealed with the rose and the sandalwood humming in the background. Vetiver, musty and dry, add another layer of woodiness and a slight smokiness. I smell the Duomo, but we're not staying there because musk adds a warm, smooth sensuality that makes 10 Corso Como more secular than sacred. The drydown is sensuous and warm, and elegantly Italian.

Check out 10 Corso Como in our Shop.