Arno Shoes

Arno Shoes was established by Mikhail Bliskavka and Christine O'Leary. Both founders studied at the Stefano Bemer shoemaking school in Florence, Italy. Bliskavka served in the U.S. Coast Guard and as an Air Force reservist, and became interested in footwear during his studies in electrical engineering. O'Leary transitioned to the shoemaking field with experience in media and event production after living in Florence. The founders established the company to reflect the craftsmanship and stylistic elements learned in Italy alongside influences from American footwear.

Arno Shoes works with artisan partners in León, Mexico, a city with an established shoe manufacturing industry. León is responsible for about 70% of Mexico's estimated annual footwear production of 250 million pairs. The company's boots are produced with traditional methods associated with Italian shoemaking, using techniques learned from master artisans.

Arno Shoes sources leathers from international tanneries for its production. The company uses kudu leather, a material derived from wild kudu hunted for both meat and hide. Vegetable tanning methods are used for select products, allowing these materials to decompose more easily in environmental conditions.

Arno Shoes manufactures several boot models. One example is the Vishivanka Boot, which features kudu leather and design details that draw from Ukrainian embroidery patterns. Another offering is the Bliskavka Zip Up Boot, which is produced with Russet kudu leather and includes a side-zip design. The brand's lineup includes boots intended for casual and formal uses.