Former Marni Executive Joins to Lead Brand’s International Expansion
Antonio Marras has named Barbara Calò as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a strategic move in the company’s ongoing reorganization under its parent company, Oniverse. This newly created position is part of a broader plan designed by Sandro Veronesi, Chairman of Oniverse, to develop and expand the brand.
“Barbara Calò is a strategic addition to the Antonio Marras board, and I am convinced that her experience and talent will be an added value for the brand,” said Veronesi. “With her important background in fashion, Barbara will help us in the ongoing expansion of Antonio Marras, especially at the international level. With her, we will continue with the retail plan, which — since the acquisition in 2022 — has been one of our main goals.”
Calò brings extensive retail experience to Antonio Marras. Prior to joining, she held the same CEO role at Marni, part of OTB, where she led the company’s global operations and omnichannel strategy. During her tenure at Marni, she rose through the ranks from Global Omnichannel Director to General Manager and eventually CEO. Her previous experience includes roles at Giorgio Armani, Vertu, Escada, Jil Sander, and Prada.
Oniverse acquired an 80% stake in Antonio Marras in 2022, aiming to bolster the brand’s retail and production capabilities while expanding its global presence. The group opened its first Marras boutique in Rome on Via Condotti following the acquisition and has since launched six additional stores across key cities, including Turin, Florence, Venice, and the luxury resort town of Forte dei Marmi.
Marras, known for his artisanal approach and hand-sewn collections in Sardinia, praised the partnership with Veronesi, saying the support has allowed him to maintain the brand’s craftsmanship while expanding its visibility. “There has been a radical change and acquired visibility for the brand,” Marras said, crediting Veronesi for his commitment to the designer’s unique vision and artistic roots.
Veronesi’s Oniverse, based in Verona, is home to several well-known brands, including Calzedonia, Intimissimi, Falconeri, and bridal brand Atelier Emé. The group, which also owns yachting company Cantiere del Pardo, reported sales of 3.1 billion euros in 2022, with exports accounting for 62 percent of its total revenue.