Early Life
Sandro Veronesi was born in Ala, Trento, Italy, in 1959. He earned his high school diploma and a bachelor's degree in economics and business from the University of Verona in 1983. After graduating, he began his career at Golden Lady Spa.
Rise to Success
Veronesi founded Calzedonia in 1987 while still working at Golden Lady. The Calzedonia Group rapidly expanded, adding brands like Intimissimi and Tezenis, and acquiring a majority stake in Falconeri. He has also diversified the group through acquisitions like Atelier Emé (2015) and Antonio Marras (2022). The group’s revenue exceeded €3 billion in 2022. In 2023, the group rebranded to Oniverse, reflecting its expanded ambitions beyond fashion.
Key Business Strategies
Veronesi's business strategy has focused on vertical integration, franchising, and a strong emphasis on product quality and innovation. The franchising model has been instrumental in the group's rapid international expansion, with over 5,700 stores in 55 countries as of 2025. The Oniverse has also accelerated in the United States and the Middle East. Intimissimi opened a flagship store in Dubai Mall last spring; Tezenis plans to exceed 1,000 stores by 2026 and Calzedonia is testing formats to attract tourist traffic.
Philanthropy
In 1999, Sandro Veronesi established the San Zeno Foundation, which supports education, vocational training, and employment opportunities for those in need. The foundation has supported over 1,400 projects across 35 countries.
