ㅤㅤCarlo's decision to open a barbershop was no casual coincidence: he was in fact the son of a barber and had learnt the tricks of the trade at a young age. Nevertheless, his vision went far beyond his family tradition. Carlo’s ambition was to create a place that wasn't just an outlet for services, but a real hub for social interaction. And just as he dreamed, Carlo’s barbershop went on to become a place where men could meet, exchange ideas, discuss politics, or simply sit back and enjoy a quiet moment of relaxation.

During the 17th Century, the people of Milan began to develop an increasing interest in their personal appearance and hygiene. A well-groomed beard and tidy hair were a sign of respectability and status. With his skills and friendly demeanour, Carlo soon became a well-loved and respected figure in the community. And thanks to his attention to detail, the quality of his tools, and his ability to listen to and advise his clients, his reputation quickly grew.

Inside Carlo’s barbershop, the walls were adorned with ornate mirrors and the seats were comfortable. The story goes that Carlo was also a pioneer in the use of fragranced beard soaps and oils, introducing a taste of luxury during a time when such refinements were still rare.

And so, Carlo’s barbershop became a symbol of this new mood that was rapidly spreading throughout Milan: a city that was discovering the importance of individuality and personal well-being. With his exceptional initiative and talent, Carlo Zucca laid the foundations for a family legacy that would go on to endure century after century, marking a significant turning point in the city’s history.

Giovanni Zucca wasn’t just a barber: he was an innovator with an intuition for business and a love for new inventions. As Milan flourished, so did his barbershop. Certain sources actually claim that it was Giovanni who introduced the city’s very first adjustable barber chair, imported from France: a novel addition that attracted curiosity from all over Milan. The story goes that one particularly cold winter’s morning, a nobleman visiting Milan slipped in the snow right outside Giovanni’s shop. The barber is said to have come to his aid immediately, offering him somewhere warm to sit and a glass of brandy. And as he charmed the nobleman with pleasant conversation and an impeccable haircut, a solid friendship was born.

Calmly and diligently, he managed to reconstruct the wig in time for an
important gala organised by the Duke himself. The Duke was apparently so grateful that from that point onwards, he made sure that all guests at his parties had their hair styled exclusively by Giuseppe. 

During the French Occupation, Francesco took advantage of the opportunity his barbershop presented to interact with the French soldiers, learning from them different techniques and approaches to the art of shaving. Some accounts go as far as to say that the “Zucca blade” was in fact inspired by French soldiers’ bayonets.

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Meanwhile, another anecdote suggests the surprising origins behind the first ever natural bristle barber brush. Apparently, Francesco observed the brushes the soldiers would use to clean their uniforms and realised that a softer, more flexible version would be the perfect tool with which to apply shaving soap. In collaboration with a local artisan, he developed a brush that allowed him to distribute the soap perfectly evenly, significantly improving the overall shaving experience.

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Thanks to this cutting-edge approach, the Zucca barbershop became a benchmark in the shaving industry for quality and innovation, propelling it to fame across the whole of Milan.

During those tumultuous years, the barbershop wasn’t only a place for haircuts and shaving, but a hub for revolutionary ideas and a sanctuary for freedom of expression. And so, with their passion for culture and their open-mindedness, the Zuccas transformed it into a vibrant symbol of the Italian Risorgimento. 

Influenced by European trends, Milanese men began to pay more attention to their appearance. A well-groomed beard, an elegantly styled moustache and neatly combed hair became a symbol of sophistication and status. And the barbershop became the epicentre of this new wave. Barbers began to import oils and fragrances from the East and France, introducing exotic scents like sandalwood and bergamot, which were highly requested by their more elite customers. 

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The Zucca barbershop lived through a period of monumental change: the Unification of Italy. Always ready to experiment, the story goes that during the cholera outbreak in 1854, they transformed part of the shop into a dispensary, offering healthcare and medical advice, earning them the title “Barbershop of the Milanese”.

Legend has it that Bernardo Zucca was a man of great charm and intelligence. Under his guidance, the Zucca barbershop was a shining light in the heart of Belle Époque Milan. It’s likely that this period of bubbling cultural excitement also inspired him to transform the barbershop into a place where beauty, art and culture could be united in perfect harmony. 

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During the Belle Époque, Milan underwent a period of huge social and economic change. New technologies, like gas and then electric lighting, transformed the city into a vibrant place, even at night. The boulevards were filled with coaches and pedestrians, and the Milanese people revelled in the city’s bustling cultural life, regularly frequenting the opera, ballet and art exhibitions. 

With his avant-garde vision, Bernardo Zucca soon realised that a barbershop could be more than simply a service provider: it could also be a nucleus of cultural exchange and a symbol of the liveliness and elegance of Belle Époque Milan. 

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One particularly significant story goes that Giuseppe Enrico was paid a visit from a famous actor from the Teatro alla Scala, who dropped into the Zucca barbershop for a shave the night before opening night. The actor, who was initially sceptical, was so astounded by the results that he became an enthusiastic promoter of this new technique, and helped to spread its good reputation far and wide. 

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The barbershop became a go-to for Milanese people who didn’t just want a flawless shave, but also a forward-looking grooming experience. Adorned with images of Milan’s modern innovations, the walls inside the barbershop reflected everyone’s pride for a city that was looking towards the future with confidence and optimism. 

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Under the guidance of Giuseppe Enrico, the Zucca barbershop not only maintained its reputation for excellence, but also became an emblem of the perfect balance between respect for tradition and passion for innovation.

We are bringing the cultural heritage in which the ZUCCA brand is so deeply rooted into the 21st Century, with the hope that new generations have the chance to appreciate the historical identity we’re so committed to honouring and protecting.