Maria Gangemi
Founder and Chief Merchant, M.Gemi
United States
Walking the walk—in exquisitely crafted Italian shoes, of course.
Born in Sicily, Italy, Maria Gangemi is the force behind M.Gemi, the digitally native, direct-to-consumer luxury brand she co-founded in 2015 with Cheryl Kaplan and Rue La La founder Ben Fischman. What began as a passion for Italian craftsmanship has become a luxury disruptor, delivering handmade shoes, handbags, and leather goods straight from Italy’s finest artisans to discerning customers worldwide.
With over three decades in creative direction and merchandising, Gangemi has shaped brands like Rue La La, White Mountain, and Nine West. But it was her deep-rooted connection to Italy’s centuries-old craftsmanship heritage that fueled her mission: to preserve generational craftsmanship while making luxury more accessible.
Founder and Chief MerchantCurrent
SVP European Luxury
Creative Director
Creative Director
Boston College
Every M.Gemi shoe is handcrafted in Italy and priced under $350, making luxury more accessible.
With weekly small-batch drops, the brand disrupts traditional retail cycles, keeping collections fresh and exclusive.
Maria Gangemi’s mission is to preserve Italy’s generational artisanship while modernizing how luxury is bought and sold.
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