Flagship Store Cordusio

We were tasked by North Sails to design, manage, and deliver their new headquarters in via Dante, right in the heart of Milan’s historical and commercial district between the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco. The project brings together a 200 sqm flagship store, two storeys of workspace, and a penthouse showroom with terrace and event space overlooking the city’s rooftops.

The first phase to be completed was the flagship store, launched in time for the AW24 Christmas shopping season. Positioned at a highly visible corner with two street frontages — Via Dante and Via Camperio — the store becomes an urban statement of the North Sails brand in Milan.

Building on the successful retail concept developed for the Saint-Tropez flagship, we have reinterpreted the brand’s DNA with Performance Sailing as the central design metaphor. The wall display systems echo the precision and efficiency of racing yachts: modular, essential, and geometrically pure. Satin-finished aluminium is the dominant material, complemented by stained birch plywood and solid wood veneer — a nod to craftsmanship and authenticity.

The flexible modular design means folded and hanging SKUs can be easily rearranged, keeping the space dynamic and responsive to new collections.

At the entrance, a sculptural centrepiece named NS:Hull01 greets visitors. More than a fixture, it’s part installation, part room, part architectural gesture. Shaped like the bow of a sailing yacht, it engages the street and invites passers-by to step inside. This area, the “Bow,” highlights North Sails’ performance and technical collections, creating a direct dialogue between design and product.

Towards the rear of the store, the “Stern” space offers a softer, more refined atmosphere, celebrating the brand’s sartorial heritage and attention to detail. Here, a full-height seating fixture in steam-bent birch and mirrored glass invites visitors to slow down and explore.

Between Bow and Stern, a graphic installation underscores North Sails’ commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable innovation. Throughout the store, recycled sails sourced from the North Sails Loft in Carasco have been transformed into wall coverings, seating upholstery, and fitting room curtains — turning brand history and sustainability into a tactile, visible part of the retail experience.

Beyond the flagship, the project extends vertically: two levels of modern workspaces above, and a penthouse showroom and terrace for private events, brand activations, and product launches. The result is not just a store but a fully integrated North Sails hub in Milan, where retail, design, and brand storytelling come together in one cohesive narrative.