Joe Andrews (BluMaan) Raves about Areni 1
Click to See Blumaan's Review
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Our Premier Low Top in Blue/Orange
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Discover our Handmade Premier Collection
Introducing the Premier High Top: a lifestyle shoe for the modern creative. Striking styling combine with subtle touches to make this a one-of-a-kind fashion product.
Handmade quality, premium Italian leather, and long-lasting TPU soles ensure excellent durability and comfort. A laceless design eliminates pressure points and makes for daily ease of use.
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Our Premier High Top in Black
Our Premier Low Top model was designed to exemplify velocity and refinement.
Dynamic elastics work together to offer a perfect fit, while our signature hand-stitched detailing provides an extra touch of craftsmanship.
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Premier Low Top in Blue/Orange
Inspired by 5,500 Years of Shoemaking Tradition
Armenia is home to the world’s oldest leather shoe- made 5,500 years ago and discovered in the Areni 1 cave. We celebrate this tradition today by including historical inspirations in our modern footwear.
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Urartian Cuneiform: the inspiration behind the Premier High Top
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Garni's Symphony of Stones Formation, the pattern used to mold our soles
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The Areni 1 Cave and the 5,500 year old Leather Shoe Discovered Inside it
Design
Whether studying the stitching of 1,900 year old pagan Armenian shoes, or recreating ancient script from a 2,800 year old fortress, our designers incorporate glimpses from our past into each model.
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Closeup on the PLT's hand stitched detailing
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As incredible as the history behind our products is, we didn't stop there. Our shoes are built to perform in the here and now. By combining the unparalleled quality and comfort of a handcrafted upper with the longest lasting soles available, we have created the ultimate lifestyle sneaker.
Squishy foams fail to provide the midsole stability and support needed during prolonged periods of walking. Antiquated rubber soles offer inadequate shock absorption and wear down quickly. Polyurethane offers optimal support and outlasts both!
Social Responsibility
Major brands mass produce shoes with sub-par materials in dehumanizing factories. We reject this wholeheartedly. That’s why Areni 1’s are made in a workshop by a small team of 40 veteran craftsmen right in the heart of Yerevan using environmentally sustainable and biodegradable materials.
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Materials
Our shoes are made using the finest Italian grade A leather. Because that's not enough, our shoemakers combine it with layers of high durability textiles to ensure your Areni 1’s break in just the right amount.
Our soles are made from a single custom molded piece of biodegradable polyurethane that outlasts EVA foam 10 to 1 and vulcanized rubber 5 to 1.
Models/Colorways
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Our two models, the Premier High Top and Premier Low Top, are each available in 4 distinct yet versatile colorways.
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Sizing
All of our shoes are produced by EU standards. To find your size, check out the chart below. At the end of the campaign you will receive a survey email to pick your size and color.
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If you find yourself between sizes, we recommend sizing up. As our shoes are built for lifestyle and not exclusively for sport, they are roomier than most.
Our Promise
We pledge to provide you with shoes that are as beautiful and nuanced as they are comfortable and long lasting. We pledge to conduct ourselves with transparency and honesty. And finally, we pledge to help make the next chapter of Armenia’s spectacular story one to remember.
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Completed Uppers Ready to have their Soles attached
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One of our US bound shipments
About Our Founder
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New Jersey native Cole Tashjian repatriated to Armenia 3 years ago. Initially working as a consultant, Cole began putting together his passion project, Areni 1 Footwear, on the side. From the initial concept boards, to tech packs, to the brand’s very first prototype, he worked to bridge Armenia’s heritage and knowledge in traditional shoemaking with a futuristic aesthetic. Today, Areni 1 Footwear is ready to share its unique story with the world, and to participate in the rebirth of Armenian shoemaking.