At 80-plus, Aldo Bensadoun doesn’t just walk into a room; he brings it to life. Most people his age might seek a quiet corner, but the founder of ALDO radiates energy and warmth, talking about “love, respect, and integrity” with the enthusiasm of someone who just opened their first shop yesterday.
I caught up with the footwear legend at a recent event held at the ALDO flagship in Dubai Mall. Bensadoun was in the thick of the action, as animated buyers clamoured for a photo with him, phones raised to capture the moment.
As we moved away from the bustling displays to a quieter corner of the store, the hum of the mall seemed to fade, making room for a more engaging conversation: one about why the perfect shoe starts with a good heart, the brand’s popular ‘ITSANDAL’, and the emotional legacy he has spent a lifetime building.
Bensadoun leans in, giving me his full attention. “To me, this is an incredible region,” he says, gesturing toward the energy spilling from the mall into the store. “When you’re tired, you should come to Dubai. It gives you energy. It’s a dynamic place.”
The irony isn’t lost on me; Bensadoun is the one bringing energy to the space, seated beneath the spotlights of the store. He is charming and self-effacing, his warmth undeniable.
Despite building a global empire spanning 115 countries, he talks about business as a “purpose,” not a profit machine.
His partnership with Apparel Group brings this vision to life in the Gulf region, ensuring that each store, whether in Dubai, Montreal, Mumbai or Johannesburg, delivers the same experience, the same care, and the same “love.”
When our conversation turns to his family, the high-energy executive softens. Footwear isn’t just a career, it’s a bloodline. Both his father and grandfather were in the trade, and speaking of them, his voice carries a weight of respect.
“My father was always a model to me,” he reflects. “He always said: be honest, be true to people, and listen to them.” These aren’t just company values posted in a breakroom; they are the quiet force behind everything he does. For Bensadoun, leadership isn’t about being the “front man,” it’s about listening and understanding, a trait inherited from generations before him.
When comfort matters as much as style
Bensadoun is a realist. In the 70s, a simple clog, his first design, was enough to start a revolution. Today, customers want the look of a stiletto with the feel of a cloud. He frames comfort not as a technical challenge, but as a human necessity.
“For the last 10 years, we’ve worked extremely hard to make sure our shoes are extremely comfortable,” he says. This effort led to Pillow Walk technology, the signature cushion in their viral “ITSandals”. His goal is simple: no pain for fashion. The ITSandal should be the one you actually want to wear until 2am.
Leaving the world in a better place
Looking after customers also means caring for the planet. ALDO was the first fashion footwear and accessories company globally to achieve climate-neutral certification. But Bensadoun emphasises the human side over corporate bragging.
“As human beings, we have a role to make sure we leave the world in a healthy position,” he says earnestly. This philosophy shapes everything from sustainable packaging to the vegan-first mission of sister brand Call It Spring.
Whether expanding into new markets or nurturing partnerships, Bensadoun’s message is refreshingly simple. He doesn’t focus on market share; he talks about trust and integrity.
“We look for partners who share the same values, honesty and integrity,” he says. Every storefront, from Dubai to Montreal, is an opportunity to practice being a “better human being.”
His collaboration with Apparel Group exemplifies this approach, combining shared values with local insight to ensure each store delivers the same experience worldwide.
As our conversation wraps, the quiet enclave is overtaken as the crowd spills back in. Bensadoun doesn’t pull away; instead, he seems to dissolve into the mix, answering questions from fans and leaning in for selfies with the same genuine interest he gave our interview.
As he is pulled further into the flurry of activity, he pauses to catch my eye one last time, offering a cheerful wave as if to say the work is never done. In this moment, amid the lights, the energy, and the constant hum of Dubai, Bensadoun remains the same curious designer at heart — proving that the most enduring empires are built not just with scale, but one heartfelt, and very comfortable, step at a time.
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