Corso Mille: menswear surfing between heritage and high performance
One brand gaining traction in menswear is Corso Mille, a novel label born in Naples that manages to skillfully balance two key elements: high performance and heritage.
It's an innovative brand by an innovative entrepreneur, Paolo Colurcio, who transitioned into fashion from management roles in the automotive industry, focusing on strategy, sales, marketing, and brand development—especially in the premium segment.
A graduate of Stern Business School in New York, he launched Corso Mille in 2012 in Naples. Today, it retails in some 40 select multibrand retailers, particularly in France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan. Eschewing the development of costly mono-brand stores too soon, Corso Mille focuses instead on brand visibility through curated placements in high-end independent boutiques and unique hotel locations.
The brand is currently undergoing rapid expansion, led by strategic retail activations with La Rinascente in Italy, with a series of exclusive pop-up spaces in key La Rinascente stores, like Florence, Rome, and Turin, in the pipeline.
Colurcio has also inked a unique partnership with a prestigious Italian sail yacht brand to launch a limited-edition capsule collection—a collaboration blending shared values: Italian craftsmanship, elegance in motion, and a passion for the sea, to be officially announced soon.
'It's a collection that celebrates leisure, performance, and heritage and anchors Corso Mille deeply into the world of nautical luxury,' enthuses Colurcio in his Paris showroom.
Asked for his definition of Corso Mille, Colurcio responds: 'Corso Mille was born at the crossroads of Italian heritage, contemporary elegance, and the spirit of refined leisure.'
Entirely made in Italy, the key to Corso Mille is the use of high-performance fabrics—unusual wool blends or sustainable materials—in functional and refined garments. Winter shirts are made of blends of wool and Coolmax, and polos are composed of cotton and elastane. Classy blazers come in a blend of polyamide and elastane, granting a soft touch and a crease-free finish. Plus, there is sartorial attention to detail, reimagined for elevated casualwear, like jackets with dedicated phone pockets and cuffs within jacket sleeves.
'Corso Mille isn't just about clothing—it's about expressing a cultivated lifestyle through a wardrobe that's both sophisticated and contemporary,' says the founder.
Colurcio derived the timeless Italian brand name by amalgamating two ideas: Corso, for a main street, conveying movement, sophistication, and centrality; and Mille, meaning a thousand, referencing the thousand soldiers led by Garibaldi in the expedition to Sicily that unified Italy, and as a tribute to the country's legendary car race, Mille Miglia.
Above all, Corso Mille's clothes are designed for style icons who are also men of action, he explains. Its sense of minimalism and haute gamme aligns with the current menswear zeitgeist.
'Gianni Agnelli is an obvious reference for his unique flair and connection to Italian heritage. In sports, Carlos Sainz Jr. has that quiet confidence and attention to detail that feels very aligned with our world. And I'd also mention Roberto Mancini—he brings that classic Italian elegance with a modern twist, both on and off the pitch. It's really about men who carry themselves with confidence, taste, and a sense of identity—that's the spirit behind Corso Mille,' expounds Paolo.
He maintains high-end quality by always collaborating with trusted artisans and manufacturers located in regions renowned for their craftsmanship, while emphasizing the brand's commitment to responsible manufacturing. Swim shorts are made from 100% recycled premium fabric.
Corso Mille's next big date is in two weeks at Pitti Uomo in Florence, where it has participated for the last four editions. Its goal by 2030 is to be present in around 100 carefully selected premium multibrand stores worldwide.
'Ultimately, it's not about chasing volume—it's about building the right kind of presence: exclusive, consistent, and aligned with the brand's spirit. We're also planning to expand our direct-to-consumer platform, with a strong focus on creating an immersive digital experience that brings the Corso Mille world to life,' he adds.
Corso Mille has been experiencing year-over-year growth, each season confirming a positive trajectory—both in terms of sales and market reach.
'We're confident the momentum will only accelerate in the coming years. The future looks promising,' beams Colurcio.
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