The fashion world is in mourning. Cesare Paciotti, the renowned Italian shoe designer and entrepreneur, has died at the age of 67 after a sudden illness.

Together with his sister Paola, Paciotti took over the family’s artisanal footwear workshop in the 1980s — a business founded by their parents in 1948 — and transformed it into a global symbol of Italian luxury. Nicknamed “the king of shoes,” he built a brand that carried the essence of Made in Italy from the Marche region all the way to Hollywood and Asia.

His creations — crafted from the finest leathers, with impeccable Italian workmanship and the signature dagger logo — became icons of elegance with an edge. Over the years, the Paciotti style, balancing glamour and rock energy, expanded beyond footwear into leather goods and accessories, shaping the aesthetics of an entire era.

From striking ad campaigns to avant-garde designs, Paciotti’s heels — often featuring his unmistakable dagger motif — have been worn by international stars including Naomi Campbell, Beyoncé, Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, Måneskin, and Blanco. His legacy remains one of bold creativity and passion that redefined Italian shoemaking for the modern world.