The strength of the past meets the desire for the future in every shoe made by Tesorone and Il Sandalo di Capri. From an artisan knowledge handed down over time, clean lines outline a sober and essential style
“Feet well rooted in history and an eye towards the future.” This is Tesorone’s policy: the company manufactures exquisite sandals, entirely handmade, that outstand for their Italian creativity, which stem from a long family business firmly rooted in Naples. Luciano Tesorone’s passion and intuitions led to the foundation, in the early eighties, of the company Il Sandalo. At the beginning, it was a small laboratory where the secrets of ancient craftsmanship gave birth to the first models, meant to be sold to the shops located on the islands of Capri and Ischia and on the the Amalfi Coast, from Sorrento to Positano.
The success is such that, after the entry into the company of the sons Fabio and Pier Paolo in the early nineties, the international markets become an essential goal. Porto Rotondo, Antibes, Palm Beach are the renowned luxury locations where the Tesorone flagship stores are inaugurated; the company also starts to take part in the most exclusive world exhibitions in the sector in Milan, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Monaco, Dubai and Las Vegas. In 2008, at the Shoes from Italy fair in Tokyo organized by ICE, a profitable cooperation, still on, with an important local distributor started: through the brand Il Sandalo di Capri, the company’s articles are now available in the most beautiful and prestigious shops and department stores in Japan.
Pier Paolo Tesorone tells us how it is possible to innovate while remaining faithful to the corporate values.
Pier Paolo Tesorone, what does it mean to carry on a family tradition while facing the challenges of an ever-evolving market? Challenges and obstacles can only be faced with a conscious and responsible approach whatever the size of the company. Today it means taking actions aimed at environmental sustainability, which is inextricably linked to social and economic problems, such as the growing inequality between generations, and the fight against poverty. It also means carrying out behaviors aimed at reducing, or at least containing, the impact of raw materials, minimizing waste through process optimization. Finally, it means promoting a safe, barrier-free working environment. We must begin to perceive work also as a tool aimed at promoting social initiatives towards those who are most disadvantaged. For example, we should figure out new ways to rehab young ex-cons: it is necessary to offer them on-site jobs, so to teach them a real profession, but also and above all to implement paths of social inclusion and help them to build a new life.
Some models from the Tesorone spring-summer 2021 collection
Fashion is the mirror of society. What values must today be able to convey the accessory in order to keep up with the times and be well-appreciated in the stores? More than before, in the aftermath of the pandemic, we must focus on sustainability, a lever to let the entire sector and the economy in general restart. Today consumers pay greater attention to the quality of the product, and they are willing to pay more according to transparency, traceability and values in which they recognize themselves. An integral part of product sustainability is customer care even after purchase through the assistance service.
From an aesthetic point of view, the accessory is an important complement in the enhancement of an outfit. In general, I believe that the accessory does not have a precise temporal connotation. Its value is linked to the wearer and how it is worn more than to the seasons. The style of the person who wears it enhances its features and makes it contemporary. At the same time, the accessory outlines the people’s style and expresses their way of being.
In addition to quality, creativity is the real challenge. What are the operations carried out manually as they once were and which are the processing phases that you have entrusted to new technologies over time? Within the company, only handmade processes still prevail. No phase is entrusted to automation, that type of processing is still far away from our vision. When dealing with creativity and quality, the best technology is still the infinite knowledge of the craftsman.
A trunk show at the Isetan department store in Tokyo. Through the brand Il Sandalo di Capri, the company’s articles are now available in the most important stores in Japan
Your stores have won over renowned worldly locations: how important is the Italian crafts tradition in the export of your products? The “Made in” label is a strength. As a matter of fact, one of the main factors that pushes the consumer to choose is the origin of the product, which becomes a real driving force, letting the final price take a back seat. The added value of our national brand lies in the products, an expression of authenticity that let us stand out in the global market among our competitors.
To be established on the international markets, today we must also invest in communication and “think digitally”. What actions have you undertaken in this regard? Communication in general is the big challenge. It is no longer enough to create beautiful things, you have to make them known. Online sales channels require the development of new strategies by those who produce and sell.
In your opinion, what strategies must be put in place for the sector to recover from the recession caused by the pandemic? In my opinion, the other challenge to become an established business is trade liberalization, which usually leads to economic growth. Promoting open trade favors lower prices, better quality and more choice for consumers.
IL SANDALO srl
TESORONE PIER PAOLO
Piazza dei Martiri, 30 80121 Napoli
ITALIA
Tel. +39 0817283524
www.tesorone.it