“We’re very forward-thinking: we invest in innovation, technology and make shoes that keep up with women’s needs”
F
or the latest in our Women Who Win series, Lily Russo-Bah speaks to Arianna Casadei,
daughter of former Creative Director Cesare Casadei and now General Manager of the luxury Italian footwear brand. Having been
“When I was a kid, it felt like a fairy tale. I used to go to the factory on the weekend and my father used to bring home small pieces of leather and embroideries that were named after me – that’s how I got hooked. As a teenager it felt like every girl’s dream. I had access to all these shoes for my personal use, which was very special. However, when I was around 12 or 13 years old I started to wonder why my father would travel so much. It wasn’t as easy as it is today, so he would be away for long periods. [He was always looking for new ideas, too.] For example, when I was a teenager, I had a wide disc belt that was inspired by Shakira. My father asked if he could borrow it, but never gave it back. Instead, he used it as inspiration for his new collection and it stayed at the factory.”
“I’m still young and I feel like an imposter, but it feels natural to join the business and people are respectful of that”
As the General Manager of luxury Italian footwear label, Casadei, Arianna Casadei is not only helming a heritage brand, but blazing a new trail for women joining the family business
What was it like growing up in a family business?
“I was always amazed by my father’s ability to be inspired by everything that was around him and it did make me wonder if I had the same kind of creativity; if it was in my DNA. My grandfather, who founded the company, was very close to me and when he realised I was having doubts about my own ability and where I would fit into the business he told me that I was looking at things from the wrong perspective. He was a really pragmatic man and told me passion and determination would help me achieve my goals – everything else can be built on. It really helped to take that weight off my shoulders.”
Did you ever doubt your place in the company?
“At 21, when I finished university. The most relevant part of the business to me at the time was the communication department – it was when brands were only just launching their e-commerce platforms and I kept telling everyone we needed a website, so my father told me to build it myself.”
When did you first join Casadei?
at the helm of the 66-year-old family business for more than 12 months, Casadei shares the challenges she has faced modernising a multi-generational heritage brand
– and why discipline has proved to be her superpower.
For the latest in our Women Who Win series, Lily Russo-Bah speaks to Arianna Casadei,
daughter of former Creative Director Cesare Casadei and now General Manager of the luxury Italian footwear brand. Having been at the helm of the 66-year-old family business
for more than 12 months, Casadei shares the challenges she has faced modernising a
multi-generational heritage brand – and why discipline has proved to be her superpower.
“I would say Casadei is ‘Made In Italy’ with a twist. We are very proud of where we are from; we invest in the region and we have people and their families who have been working for us for generations. But, on the other hand, we are also very forward-thinking: we invest in innovation, technology and make shoes that keep up with women’s needs.”
How would you describe the brand?
“It is very hard for me to choose just one pair – I’m very eclectic and my husband always jokes that I choose my shoes according to my mood. We work together, so if he needs to run something past me, he’ll check what shoes I’m wearing to understand what kind of mood I am in! I have four particular pairs in my closet at all times because I want them to be close to my heart. But if I had to choose just one, it would be the party shoes my father personalised for me for my 18th birthday.”
“The most challenging time was when I joined the company, because I was a young female in a business that was dominated by men. Everybody looked down on me and would always ask to speak to my dad. It was destabilising but my father was always on my side. He would say, ‘You can speak with me, but I can’t even work my mobile without her, so you need to go back and speak to Arianna’. Overall, though, I’ve been well received within the company as well as outside of it. I’m still young and I feel like an imposter, but it feels natural to join the business and people are respectful of that.”
What challenges have you faced as a female General Manager?
“People are more accepting of women in leadership roles now, so the situation is definitely improving. While some fields remain challenging, the fashion industry is notably more open-minded. We still have a long way to go – there are still very few women in top positions – but we're making progress.”
Are these challenges part of a broader issue for women
in the industry?
“There’s an inside joke in the company that if I’m involved in hiring, it will be a woman. For example, our office is entirely female. This reflects my strong belief in teamwork and women working together. My grandfather always said that while men can do one thing, women can do ten. He often mentioned he wouldn’t have had the courage to start the company without my grandmother’s support. Although there aren’t many women in top roles in other companies, it’s improving, and I see it as a gradual process.”
What would you like to change for women in business?
“When I was 15, my grandad told me to surround myself with people who are knowledgeable – and to learn from them. He also taught me to be humble and stay true to myself, while my father is a big believer in trusting your gut. If you give 100% of yourself to something and do your best at it, you’re never going to regret it.”
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
“I think it’s bridging different generational visions and habits. We are a very close and passionate family, so someone might barge into my office when I’m on the phone, or call me on a Sunday when I’m with my daughter. We love it, but it can be a challenge. Also, managing the digitisation of the company; the business is changing so quickly that you have to constantly evolve – it’s a never-ending process and there’s lots of moving parts that have to be in sync.”
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
“The launch of our e-commerce platform was really interesting because everybody was sceptical, so seeing the site go live was definitely one of my proudest moments. I would also have to say being appointed General Manager last year, and being able to properly say thank you to every single person who has worked alongside us on the factory floor for the past 66 years.”
Is there a business moment you’re particularly proud of?
“Reading and finding time for myself every day, even if it is only for 15 minutes, has really helped. A book I love is The 5am Club but I do what works for me. When you’re young, you take [your body] for granted, but as you get older, you realise you need to be a bit kinder to yourself.”
How do you find the right work/life balance?
“It has been a struggle of mine since I was young. I was always looking at the next challenge; placing the bar a little higher every time and never celebrating what I had already achieved. Thankfully, my husband has really helped me to be more present, and my daughter encourages me to be kinder to myself.”
Do you take time to celebrate success?
“What I can tell you from experience is that, no matter the gender, if we put ourselves in somebody else’s shoes, we would all be kinder and find it easier to communicate. It’s a chain of loyalty, respect, and ultimately friendship.”
What could we achieve if we all supported each other as women?
“As a family, we always go to Bice for lunch or dinner, but during Milan Fashion Week, we book Torre Di Pisa to celebrate with the team and close friends. If you’re looking for something a little different, I would suggest Contraste, as the food is a little more experimental. When it comes to shopping, I love the hair accessories at Leontine Vintage. When my daughter was born, the founder, Eva, created bespoke hair clips for us and I still cherish them to this day. Pinag is another brand I adore – its one-of-a-kind shirts are crafted from the highest-quality fabrics, sourced from companies that have overproduced. Sustainability is at the heart of the label and I love how its detailed designs are reworked by skilled artisans from the region. For homeware, Laboratorio Paravicini is my go-to for eclectic, hand-painted ceramic plates.”
What are your favourite spots in Milan?
“It could also be seen as my downfall, but I would say my superpower is my stubbornness and the discipline that I have. When I put my mind to something, I tend to persevere. I would never compromise on my integrity – I need to be able to look at everybody in the face. What you see is what you get.”
What is your superpower?
“The most challenging time was when I joined the company, because I was a young female in a business that was dominated by men. Everybody looked down on me and would always ask to speak to my dad.”
“I would never compromise on my integrity – I need to be able to look at everybody in the face. What you see is what you get”
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Photographer: Sara Reverberi
WORDS: Lily Russo-Bah
Arianna
Casadei
Photographer: Sara Reverberi
WORDS: Lily Russo-Bah
Arianna
Casadei
