Arianna Casadei takes over the management of luxury shoe manufacturer Casadei

By

Dominique Muret

Translated by
Cassidy STEPHENS

Published
Jan 23, 2023

The historic Italian shoe manufacturer Casadei is handing over to the third generation of the founding family. It has just promoted to its head the current director of marketing and communications Arianna Casadei, daughter of creative director Cesare Casadei, who has been behind the brand's style since the 1980s. "In addition to being an incredible girl, Arianna has proven herself to be an expert and talented businesswoman," says the designer, who will continue his work to ensure the label's identity.

In her new role as CEO, "Arianna will be called upon to continue to grow the brand's business, taking on new challenges. While on the one hand, strengthening the online business remains a priority, on the other hand, Casadei's objective is also to consolidate its own position in key markets, including the United States, the Middle and Far East," says the company, founded in 1958 by Arianna's grandparents, Quinto and Flora Casadei, in a statement. 

Most of the young woman's experience comes from working within the family business, located in the San Mauro Pascoli shoe district in central Italy, although she has worked for other houses such as Alberta Ferretti and the Florentine multi-brand chain LuisaViaRoma. A graduate in communications from the University of Bologna, she became familiar with the business at an early age, following her father to the factory and workshop while still in high school.

In 2012, she officially joined Casadei as e-commerce and social media manager. A new position for the shoe manufacturer. She accelerated the digitalization of the company, contributing to the development of the online business, which now represents 10% of the turnover. In 2017, she was promoted to the position of communications and marketing director, also managing special projects and relations with wholesale customers.

Casadei, with its combination of craftsmanship and technological innovation, has managed to make a name for itself in the high-end footwear segment over the past sixty-five years, particularly appreciated by fashionistas thanks to iconic models such as its famous "Blade" pumps, with a steel stiletto heel as sharp as a blade. The company, which has diversified into bags, ended 2022 with a 20% increase in sales, and is aiming for a turnover of 30 million euros for 2023. 

Casadei is distributed through 20 boutiques and more than 200 multi-brand retailers worldwide. Its main market is Europe, with a share of around 30%, followed by the United States, Asia and the Middle East, where it has just opened a corner in Printemps in Doha. It has recently expanded its team by recruiting Maddalena Aspes from Missoni to run its press office and Paola Rossi as commercial director.