Enchanté

Meet Fiorella & Martin

Hello Gorgeous,

How nice to meet you!

Full disclosure: as a girl, I still dreamed of saving the world; today, I am a bit more of a realist.

I embraced a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle since childhood. I spent most of my twenties and early thirties in war zones across the Middle East and Africa, negotiating with soldiers and communities to get aid across the frontlines. Despite the dirt roads, the dust, and the long waits under the blazing sun at checkpoints, I always rocked high heels. They gave me the confidence to face the impossible.

MY HIGH HEELS ARE MY COMPANIONS. THEY MAKE ME FEEL BEAUTIFUL, CONFIDENT, AND STRONG.

Today, I negotiate corporate deals, train salespeople, lawyers, entrepreneurs and most importantly, women in negotiation.

Driven by a vision to create high heels that let women stand tall while protecting the planet, I founded Cheetah Stories with the unshakable belief that women can do anything—just like my mama taught me.

For too long, men have been designing high heels with the sole purpose of making them as sexy as possible, priding themselves on the painful pleasures they created.

It’s about high time for a woman to design High heels.

I'm an entrepreneur, negotiation expert, and humanitarian worker with degrees in Social Anthropology, Arabic Literature, Development Studies, and Business Administration. I'm also slightly hyperactive, an outdoor lover, an expert sleeper, and a hobby cook.

I am on completely in love with our Cheelettos, I hope you will be too!

Stand tall!

With love,

Fiorella,

Founder & CEO

Hello beautiful,

Thrilled to meet you!

As a young man, I was a model; then, life caught up with me, and I entered the less glamorous world of finance.

I’ve had many careers: I was a peacekeeper in Kosovo, a financial controller at an international firm, and managed HR & Finance for a humanitarian organisation for a while—that’s where Fiorella & I met. I also worked in start-ups. Hand to heart, I never thought I’d co-found a vegan high heel company, but hey, never say never!

It is really hard to believe that comfort and sustainability have never been a priority for high-heel designers. Speaking with women, it is wonderful to see their enthusiasm for our product and how excited they are to be finally understood – especially by a man.

I think it is about high time for equality, and just maybe it starts with a fabulous piece of footwear.

I have degrees in business administration, accounting and finance, I am also a problem solver, snow fanatic and freelance travel guide.

I am over the moon to be part of this journey and I do hope that Cheelettos will be everything you have been looking for in a high heel.

Stand tall!

With love,

Martin,

Founder & CFO

Our Team

Every great company starts with an even greater team!

Cheetah Stories is an assemblage of wonderful characters made up of the founder team, suppliers, freelancers and kind souls who invest their time in helping us build our brand.

Calvin Kröhne

Chief Marketing Officer & CO-FOUNDER
Hello, nice to meet you.
I'm Calvin – at Cheetah Stories, I help shape how our brand speaks, connects, and comes to life through thoughtful storytelling and clear strategy.
For over 15 years, I’ve worked in advertising and marketing, learning how powerful ideas – when rooted in authenticity – can genuinely resonate. It's never been about shouting the loudest, but about finding the right words to make people feel something.
Joining a vegan luxury high heel brand might seem like a shift, but to me, it feels like a natural next step. Fashion has always been about expression and identity – and with Cheetah Stories, we’re creating something that not only looks good but carries meaning too.
I’m here to contribute, to listen, and to help build a brand that stands for something real.
Valeria Blandina

CHIEF PRODUCTION OFFICER & CO-FOUNDER
Hello, and thank you for stopping by.
Footwear has always been part of my life. I grew up in a family of Italian shoemakers – our roots go back to my great-grandfather, who founded a small but respected workshop in Vigevano. Over time, our family had the opportunity to work quietly behind the scenes, supporting designers and brands across the luxury space.
Later on, my brother Gabriele and I set up a consulting agency, helping others bring their collections to life through our production network. Along the way, we started to explore new ways of doing things – using more sustainable materials, refining our processes, and thinking more carefully about what craftsmanship should look like in today’s world.
My focus has always been on the practical side – making sure the right people, materials, and timelines come together to produce shoes that meet a high standard. With over two decades of experience in the field, I care deeply about ensuring that Italy’s long-standing tradition of excellence can evolve without losing its soul.
Paulo Colino

CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER (Ad interim) & Advisor
Hello, and thank you for your interest.
Over the past 25 years, I’ve worked across the luxury and premium goods sectors – from fashion and footwear to beauty and fine watchmaking – in markets around the world. My focus has always been on long-term brand growth, ensuring that commercial success doesn’t come at the cost of identity or integrity.
When I came across Cheetah Stories, it immediately stood out. This wasn’t just another footwear label – it felt like a sincere response to the growing need for a more conscious, inclusive approach to luxury.
I’m proud to be supporting a team that is both visionary and grounded, and a product that combines elegance with meaning. In many ways, it feels like the right moment – and the right place – to help move the industry forward.
Hugues Yo

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER (Ad interim) & Advisor
Hello, I’m Hugues — lovely to meet you.
For over 20 years, I’ve been helping global fashion, sports, and lifestyle brands connect with the right audience — from Canada Goose and Oakley to The North Face and GEOX. I’ve launched and scaled brands across Europe and the US, always guided by one purpose: to turn great products into meaningful experiences.
I thrive where innovation meets strategy — whether transforming direct-to-consumer models or weaving AI into the fabric of modern marketing. I believe that brand storytelling isn’t just a tool — it’s the heart of every business with soul.
Cheetah Stories spoke to me from day one. It’s not just a brand — it’s a movement. Together, we’re building a new generation of vegan luxury that’s bold, conscious, and beautifully different.
Gabriele Blandina

SHOE MANUFACTURER AND ENTREPRENEUR
Ciao, piacere!
I'm Gabriele. I am the one crafting your Cheelettos with my awesome team, one precise stitch at a time.
You could say shoemaking runs in my blood. I come from a long line of Italian artisans who have been making luxury footwear for generations.
I'm a bit of a rebel in the Italian shoe industry because I'm all about sustainability and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in terms of materials and technology.
That's why, apart from running a shoe manufacturing and consulting firm, I also co-founded my own startup, CRIMAGNO, with a mission to create a fully sustainable high-end hybrid of a design and sports shoe for men and women.
I'm not just your average shoe guy—I'm an innovator, entrepreneur, and a bit of a dreamer, too. Together with Cheetah Stories, we shape the next generation of vegan luxury high heels.
Othello

CHIEF HAPPINESS OFFICER
Well hello there human,
I am Mr. Othello but you can call me O. Between you and me, I am the true boss of Cheetah Stories. I run the place. I am the one who makes sure that everyone is happy and having a good time. Let’s face it, this is the most important part of any business! I am also in charge of quality control, and I can tell you, Cheelettos are the most comfortable high heels I ever slept on 😴.
The animal lovers among you may rightly wonder, how a pedigree dog can be the face of a vegan high heel company, so let me share two facts about myself:
First, I am adopted. When I was two years old, my former family gave me up. It was by chance that Fiorella found me and gave me a new home.
Second, I am mostly vegan myself. I only eat meat on special occasions (I am a carnivore after all), but I always make sure that the animals are raised outdoors and lead a happy life.
Write to me at standtall@cheetah-stories.com (I am in charge of the customer service desk! 😉)
Cornelia Mattig

ATTORNEY AT LAW
Hello fabulous,
It's me, Cornelia - your lawyer extraordinaire, specialising in guiding start-ups to success.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in entrepreneurship, I've always had a knack for navigating the legal landscape, especially in areas like new technologies, ICT, data protection law, and more. Whether it's distribution and intellectual property law, corporate law, financial market regulation, or ESG rules (Environmental, Social, and Governance), I'm your go-to person.
With high heels as my steadfast partners in any legal dispute and priced treasures for all occasions, I love being part of this venture.
Together with my stellar team at Roesle, Frick & Partner, I make sure that Cheetah Stories stays on the right path and is always ready to take the next big step forward.