I DID ALPEN IT WAS MENTAL

The devil put a hamburger between two slices of bread. Today from 7pm the original Public Possession x Fonzo's street party, that's all you need. See you in via Anfiteatro 2, Milan.

Fonzo’s feels like more than just a product — it’s got a whole personality.What details went into shaping the concept? And how did you land on this spicy alter ego?

GIACOMO CAVALLI: When Niccolò (the other founder behind the project) approached me to design the brand, he gave me one non-negotiable request: Make it American.My answer? Make it New York. It’s where I live, it’s what I love. He immediately agreed.Now, New Yorkers are a fascinating breed — somehow the kindest and rudest people you’ll ever meet. They're not just passive-aggressive, they're aggressively passive. They’ll witness a stabbing on the street and barely blink — but if they like your jeans, they’ll shout it from across the street.Starting from that spirit, we wanted a mascot that was sweet but a little unhinged. Cute, but with an edge.Enter Valentino and Marvin, let them do their magic — and boom, Mr. Fonzo was born.An angel fallen from paradise onto the streets. Dusty wings, but loads of charm.The closing of the circle happened when we met Zuma, our Frontman. The kindest Punk you’ll ever meet. Big credits to him and to the huge value he is adding to the place every day.  

 

PUBLIC POSSESSION: It was a close exchange with Giacomo. Collaborations like this are always easiest when the vibe is right and the exchange is productive. This occasion was the perfect example!

The devil wears buns — and Giacomo made it an attitude.How did the most ‘forbidden’ food become your signature icon?

PUBLIC POSSESSION: It’s not always about the medium — sometimes the message is more important.

Fonzo is becoming more than just a place to grab a burger, it’s turning into a destination. A place where people connect with slices of Milan’s subcultures.Did you ever imagine it would grow into something like this?

GIACOMO CAVALLI: Back in the very early research phase, a friend of mine told me that a good burger is a catalyst: it wins everyone over.It can bring the whole community under one roof — in our case, one street.The rich, the poor, the cool, the uncool, the happy, the troubled.That stuck with me.Our dream was exactly that: to turn a location into a destination, blending the Fast Food (pragmatic New York) with the Slow Experience (romantic Italia).When we hear questions like this, we feel incredibly grateful.It’s a strong sign we’re moving in the right direction, and that people feel it.My goal has always been to build something profitable, but also culturally relevant.

Let’s say creativity is a contact sport. What’s your mentality?

GIACOMO CAVALLI: Float like an angel, sting like a devil.Stay radically open, let everything in. Every sound, flavor, face,mistake.Let it all feed your ideas.But when it’s time to bring it to life, be ruthless. Cut the noise, sharpen your focus, and go for the knockout.

Valentino and Marvin: names that now go hand in hand. What shaped your backgrounds, and what sets you apart — even from each other?

PUBLIC POSSESSION: Things we could have been but haven’t (yet):

- Classical violinists

- Ocean biologists

- Painters

- Cooks

- Olympic swimmers

…?

“Where Am I?” is also the title of your latest catalogue. But if you close your eyes… where do you truly imagine yourselves?

PUBLIC POSSESSION: Family & friends, food, sun, water.

Your connection with food seems to be getting stronger. What’s the chemistry between sound, flavor, and atmosphere at your events?

PUBLIC POSSESSION: Simple formula:

Thank you & please = Nice

Bread & cheese = Sandwich

History & mystery = Life

People & music = Vibe

Philosophy majors turned design wizards, do your visuals serve the message, or is it just an excuse to drop clever one-liners?

PUBLIC POSSESSION: Words are magic, that’s why it’s called spelling + image mix.

“Public Possession” sounds like a cult or a late-night radio show. Where did the name come from, and how has it shaped your identity over the years?

PUBLIC POSSESSION: Drunk DJing and a record called Private Possession…

MM — Milano–Monaco. It kind of rolls off the tongue like PP, Public Possession.What’s the secret ingredient that binds these two cities together?

PUBLIC POSSESSION: A love for life.

Let’s say creativity is a contact sport. What’s your warm-up ritual?

PUBLIC POSSESSION: In an ideal world, put us anywhere and we start walking.Contact, yes — but with a soft touch.