Early Life
Sandro Veronesi was born in Ala, Trento, Italy, in 1959. He graduated from the University of Verona with a degree in economics and business in 1983. Veronesi began his career at Golden Lady SpA, an Italian hosiery company.
Rise to Success
In 1987, while still working at Golden Lady, Veronesi founded Calzedonia Spa, specializing in hosiery and leggings. The company expanded rapidly, launching Intimissimi in the mid-1990s and Tezenis in 2003. By 2013, Calzedonia had over 3,000 stores globally. The Calzedonia Group expanded through acquisitions, including Falconeri in 2009 and Atelier Emé in 2015. In December 2023, the company rebranded as Oniverse.
Key Business Strategies
Veronesi's business model focused on producing high-quality products at accessible prices and a franchise-based retail model for rapid expansion. He emphasized a vertically integrated approach from design to distribution. The launch of Signorvino wine bars in 2013 demonstrates his diversification efforts.
Philanthropy
In 1999, Veronesi established the San Zeno Foundation, which supports education, training, and work opportunities.