Good News, Anyi Lu Fans! Your Favorite Shoe Crew Is Back

Photo courtesy of Arno Cooperative

In its heyday, Anyi Lu had a cult following in San Francisco and beyond. The brand was known for making comfortable shoes that actually looked stylish for work, and it even served as the springboard for another beloved San Francisco brand, Freda Salvador. (Freda founders Megan Papay and Cristina Palomo-Nelson met at Anyi Lu.) But times change, and Anyi Lu eventually ceased operations.

Now,  Rachel Arnow, the former creative designer at Anyi Lu, and Kristen Vandivier, the former CMO, have joined forces with Made PR founder Defne Crowe to create Arno Cooperative, a new footwear line that works with Italian craftsman to bring handmade leather boots to women at a fair price. Arno isn’t Anyi Lu 2.0; while there’s still a commitment to quality materials and comfort, the new brand has a more paired-down, modern aesthetic than what the team created at their last company. The first collection includes three ankle boots ($245 each) and one jacket ($375-$395) in a neutral color palette.

Check out the collection IRL during the Arno launch party next month at Acrimony (333 Hayes Street, (email rsvp@madepr.com to get on the list). Festivities will crank up on December 7 from 6:30pm–9pm, and the Arno pop-up at Acrimony will continue through December 17. Stay tuned for an e-commerce platform in December, just in time for holiday shopping.