The life of Cesare Casadei and the story of the footwear company of which he is currently creative director are so closely intertwined that it is difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Cesare was born in 1962 to Quinto and Flora Casadei, two artisans who, in 1958, founded Calzaturificio Casadei, just outside Rimini. Here, they initially produced sandals for tourists, later branching out onto the national and international market. For Cesare, there are no boundaries: neither his house, nor his factory, nor the warehouse in which the skins are stored have any walls: everything flows seamlessly amidst prototypes, production, skilled artisans and expert hands, resulting in those small masterpieces that go by the name of shoes.

As an adolescent, he was schooled in Switzerland, where he received an international education. It was the Seventies, a time of revolution and innovation: travel, a quest for freedom and a desire to discover new horizons were the ideals that inspired him more than anything else.

His passion for his parents’ business resulted in his decision to return to his roots in order to work in their company where, in the mid-eighties, he started producing his own line with a team of 10 skilled workers. This was the hardest, most formative moment of his career: his work became a serious activity, his relationship with his suppliers became more complex and the production of his footwear began to increase at a steady pace. He started off with unisex styles, subsequently going on to manufacture casual footwear until finally reaching the height of his creativity with the production of phenomenal, spectacular pieces. Often a question of trial and error, his mistakes and his successes served as a learning curve which increasingly defined the aesthetics of the Casadei style, or rather the possibility or, better still, the need to experiment tirelessly with working techniques and materials that had never been used before.

In 1990, Casadei opened its first showroom in Milan and, in 1994, Cesare became creative director of the brand. This was possibly the most delicate and difficult transitional stage in his career: during those years, the fashion system was changing radically and the globalization of markets required a new modus operandi. His years of experience in production combined with his direct relationships with suppliers and retailers enabled Cesare to take the company to new heights, achieving a level of quality that other designers find hard to rival.

Today, Cesare works in close contact with a skilled team of designers, in the knowledge that he is able to count not only on the extraordinary craftsmanship of his co-workers but also on the cutting-edge production systems used for the manufacturing process, true gems of engineering creativity that only “Made-in-Italy” is able to guarantee. Each shoe style is produced in-house and the majority of raw materials used are created exclusively for the maison.

However, according to Cesare, the hallmark feature of his creative verve, is “that indescribable pleasure that I feel when I see a woman wearing one of our creations. At that moment, the magic of a shoe is truly capable of conveying the painstaking commitment and passion that I have always invested in this fantastic trade.”

In November 2015 the brand unveiled in Rome and then Milan its new store concept created by Cesare Casadei and Architect Marco Costanzi followed by the 120 square meters boutique in the exclusive Albemarle Street, Mayfair London. Casadei is currently working on a global strategy to reinforce its retail and communications visibility worldwide. In November 2022, Casadei announced the opening of its first corner in DOHA, Qatar in the renowned luxury department store PRINTEMPS, located within the prestigious Doha Oasis complex. Casadei's corner will boast a 36-square-metre space that echoes the enveloping and elegant atmosphere of the brand's concept store opened in Rome and Milan. In April 2024, Casadei opened for the first time its e-commerce in China. In May 2024, the showroom moved to Via Bigli 4.

San Mauro Pascoli - Calzaturificio Casadei is pleased to announce the appointment of Arianna Casadei as the company’s General Manager with immediate effect.

The granddaughter of Quinto e Flora Casadei, who founded the luxury shoe company in 1958, Arianna Casadei is the daughter of Cesare Casadei, the brand’s Creative Director since the Eighties.

Representing the third generation of the Casadei family business, Arianna Casadei, who was born in Rome, grew up immersed in a fascinating world where creativity and artisanal quality have always collided to give shape to unparalleled shoe creations.

Armed with an iron discipline forged by competitive swimming, Arianna started frequenting the fashion industry during the high school years, when she was joining her father on sets and at special events.

A communication graduated from the Bologna University, she was trained in the different areas of the family’s business, before started working for other fashion companies, including Alberta Ferretti and LuisaViaRoma.

In 2012, Arianna officially joined the Casadei’s communications and marketing department as the first e-commerce and social media manager. In her role, she accelerated the digitalization of the firm, contributing to the establishment of a solid online business.

Also taking care of special projects and curating the relationships with wholesale clients, in 2017 Arianna was promoted to the role of Communications and Marketing Director, overseeing a team focused on promoting the image of the shoe brand around the world and creating a deep connection with the final consumers especially through the digital platforms.

In her new role as General Manager of the company, Arianna will be asked to continue grow the business of the brand, embarking on new exciting challenges. While the boost of the online commerce remains a priority, Casadei’s goal is also to consolidate its business in key areas, including the United States, as well as the Middle and Far East.

At the same time, guided by Arianna, in tight collaboration with Cesare Casadei, the company will continue experiment with technologies, spanning from the adoption of innovative manufacturing methods to the development of a brand identity in the metaverse.

“I’m so proud of what Arianna has achieved over the past few years. Along with being an incredible daughter, she demonstrated to be a savvy, talented business woman”, states Cesare Casadei. “I think that my parents would have agreed with me: she is the right person to guide this company and make it grow. Working with her is a true joy, and I’m so excited for all the amazing things we will achieve together”.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity”, says Arianna Casadei. “When I started working in our business 10 years ago, I would have never imagined that one day my father would have chosen me to be at the helm of that. It’s a huge responsibility, but I’m aware to be lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible team of loyal and talented individuals that I’m honored to call family”.