Casadei's Golden Moment

Casadei welcomed their 50th anniversary with a double celebration — the launch of a book that traces the Italian shoe brand’s history back to its beginnings & a cocktail party set a top the Thompson Hotel's decadent rooftop. On this very hot & sticky evening guests kept their cool by sipping & snacking a refreshing summery mix. The fashion savvy attendees were not absent minded when choosing the perfect shoes to accessorize their ensembles; in fact many of the guests rightfully sported – what else – Casadei's own.

Casadei has a rich history that has been built throughout the last 50 years in Itlay. Structurally little has changed to the interior of company since the first day that Quinto & Flora Casadei founded the label in 1958, & the company takes great pride in remaining privately owned while having acheived substantial success. As a very Italian fashion house, Casadei knows how to keep it in the family with its holdings today being controlled by Cesare Casadei (Son of Quinto & Flora) who is the creative director of the company, & with cousin Fabrizio handling the business end of the brand. Casadei strives to maintain a unique, confidant & bold identity as a label that is one of the most recognizable names in Italian designer footwear to date.

The anniversary book entitled "50 Anni Di Stile Casadei" consists of three separate parts, all housed in a classic black bound archival box. The first section features an interview with Cesare Casadei by Massimo Torrigiani, editor-in-chief of Rodeo magazine paired with drawings & advertising campaign images from Casadei’s archive. The book’s middle segment traces the 50-year-old shoe brand’s history, penned by Mariuccia Casadio of Vogue Italia. The second section also contains images of 100 pairs of shoes from the Casadei archives dating from spring/summer 1958 to spring/summer 2008.

A new shoe collection specially created by the label's designer, Cesare Casadei, was unveiled at the party. Handcrafted by Casadei’s skilled artisans, the anniversary models reveal the brand’s intricate workmanship, using some of the company’s most elaborate shoemaking techniques. Photographer Ellen von Unwerth shot the collection’s 11 shoe designs in Paris as an insert which was equally provocative as it was substantial – with dueling nude models outfitted in nothing but the bold footwear. Unwerth's photos were bluntly direct imagery that celebrated the beauty of the new collection's designs, while simultaneously acknowledging the beauty of the women that wear them. Oversized versions of the seductive images in black & white were displayed along the rooftop walls.

Here’s to the next 50!

-Kai Baukol

This just in...

Casadei announced on 08.13.09 that Simona Zerechi will be assuming the role of President of the US branch of the company, Casadei USA. Zerechi, formerly President of Celine, the LVMH division will be reporting directly to Cesare Casadei, Casadei's Creative Director. Ms. Zerechi's resume also includes Prada USA & Miu Miu, both in those company's footwear divisions.