From Florence kitchens to Manila’s luxury scene
“You have to know all about what you’re offering,” said Imelda Menguito-Sciandra, owner and founder of Corso Como 88, on the secret to her success.
“If you want to start a business, yes, you may have a sound business plan; yes, you should definitely aim for profit. But without the knowledge and love for what you offer, it will be difficult to flourish. It’s all about firsthand knowledge, passion, and hard work.”
As she immersed herself in Italy’s fashion industry, Menguito-Sciandra developed expertise in sourcing, pricing, and identifying quality—skills that allowed her to turn Corso Como 88 into a trusted name in luxury retail.
“You have to believe in what you sell,” she said. “Filipinos are very particular. Mahirap mapahiya (You can’t lose face). You have to know the product inside and out before offering it.”
She explained: “I was based in Italy for 22 years. I was in Florence, where all the leather goods are. So, I kept sending them to my friends and university classmates.” Her casual shopping recommendations eventually evolved into a steady flow of orders.
“It was like being an influencer before influencers even existed. I kept sending pictures to my friends in the Philippines, and they kept buying.”
Perfect timing
As demand grew, Menguito-Sciandra got serious. She obtained an export license, navigated the intricate world of Italian showrooms, and built direct relationships with suppliers. By the time she opened her first store in Manila in 2022, she already had a solid customer base—Filipinos eager for unique, firsthand access to Italian fashion.
“I opened at Ayala the 30th right after the pandemic, and it was perfect timing. It just so happened that my family and I were already thinking of moving back to the Philippines,” she told Lifestyle. “People were in the mood for revenge buying. They wanted to indulge, and we gave them that experience.”
The brand’s success quickly caught the attention of Ayala Malls, which offered her the opportunity to open a much larger store in One Ayala, Makati. “They reached out and said, ‘We believe in your concept, so why don’t we bring it to a bigger store in Makati?’ I said, ‘Yes, let me try that.’ It was a big move. From a small boutique, we expanded to a 300-square meter space,” she said.
Now celebrating its first anniversary at One Ayala, Corso Como 88 has evolved beyond retail. The store now serves as a lifestyle hub, hosting art workshops, wine tastings, and exclusive VIP events.
“I want this to be more than a shop—I want it to be a space where people experience Italian culture,” said Menguito-Sciandra.
Surprisingly, she never planned on becoming a retailer. She was a chef who spent 22 years in Florence.
“Cooking was a tough job,” she recalled, adding that her transition from food to fashion was a matter of circumstance. “When I had my daughter, I needed to stay put. That’s when I started focusing more on orders for the Philippines.”
Reuse
One of Corso Como 88’s unique propositions is its commitment to sustainability. Menguito-Sciandra now advocates for “reuse,” a concept that highlights the longevity of well-made fashion.
“People call it preloved or vintage, but ‘reuse’ is a better way to describe it,” she explained. “A lot of the brands we carry don’t go out of style. Trends are cyclical—what was stylish before always comes back. So you don’t throw out your used things because they can always be reused.”
Her store carries pieces that offer timeless designs and hold their value over time. “The clothes I used before are now in fashion with the 20- and 30-somethings. If you don’t want it anymore, someone else will. If not in the Philippines, then in Japan, Europe, or the US. Fashion doesn’t have to be disposable,” she said.
Menguito-Sciandra shows no signs of slowing down. Expansion plans are already in motion, including a new store in Quezon City and a sub-brand, Corso Como Profumi, which will introduce Italian home and personal fragrances to the Philippine market.
At its core, Corso Como 88 isn’t just about selling bags, clothes, or perfumes—it’s about bringing a piece of Italy to Filipinos who appreciate quality, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance.
“I love offering things you can’t just find anywhere,” said Menguito-Sciandra. “It’s like sharing a secret, and that’s what makes it special.”
Coinciding with the anniversary, Corso Como 88 is the introduction of a new line of Italian artisanal bag brands, including Buti, Gianni Chiarini, Biagini, Roberta Pieri, Gina Monroe, Bois 1920, and Acqua dell’Elba.
Celebrities such as Janine Gutierrez, Kylie Verzosa, Kris Bernal, Ashley Ortega, Alexander Diaz, Annabelle Rama, Tessa Prieto, and Ruffa Gutierrez joined the anniversary celebration.
