Alessandro Corina's Journey from Football to Design, with Honors and Collaborations

Alessandro Corina, once a promising football striker nicknamed 'Schizzo' who played youth teams for Arezzo and Grosseto and neared Serie A, pivoted to design after an injury. He now runs a studio in Grosseto's historic center, working across product and interior design. His Câlin handle for Mandelli 1953 earned an honorable mention at the ADI Compasso d'Oro International Award in Osaka. Corina collaborates with companies like Mandelli 1953, Bosa, Alivar, and Cava. He graduated in design from Florence in 2013 and spent time in London. In 2022, he founded Design Funzione Arte, an event in Grosseto that dialogues designers, artists, and thinkers, with its third edition set for June 2026. Corina reflects on lessons from football, including discipline and teamwork, and recalls advice from coaches Massimiliano Allegri and Stefano Pioli during his sports career.