Born Outside Italy

Founded in the Dubai in the United Arab Emirates by Alfredo Bandini and Daniele Pe, Born Outside Italy launched with a debut sneaker collection – Sneaker001 in four distinct colour ways. Designed by ex Virgil Abloh / Off White sneaker designer and Born Outside Italy Creative Director Janna Arnold, it quickly established itself as a competing brand to Loewe, Zegna, Golden Goose, and was embraced by both the sneaker community and luxury fashionista, looking for a quality product, with a quiet luxury aesthetic and an unmatched craftsmanship and quality of production.

We are obsessed about production and bringing back craftsmanship to the heart of luxury apparel. Not All Luxury Is Made The Same. We knew we wanted to create something people would not only love from an aesthetic perspective but something that felt different when worn. People told us their luxury sneakers were not only uncomfortable to wear but were made using cheaper methods and materials. We knew that there was only place in the world that truly understood how to craft a shoe that fused a modern feel with production techniques passed down over generations was in Italy. Marche to be precise. Only here do Calzolaio (Cobblers) go work every day to produce beautiful shoes in small batches and in small factories. Born Outside Italy sneakers are 100% made in Italy an ode to the great craftsmen and women who skills help make the most comfortable luxury sneaker.

The founders are the driving force behind the brands ethos “living life on your own terms. Alfredo Bandini, CEO and the founder, grew up in Rome, Alfredo was surrounded by endless possibilities, but it was exactly this environment that fueled his desire to do something different. From early on, Alfredo didn’t just go along with things because someone older or more senior or seemingly more qualified said so. He was all about finding his own path, questioning everything, and making his own choices. While diving into the fashion scene in Dubai, Alfredo saw how fashion lets us say who we are without speaking. Yet, he also saw how the industry often chased after the latest thing, forgetting what really matters: quality, craftsmanship and creativity. This sparked the birth of Born Outside Italy, a brand that brings back the focus on craftsmanship, materials and an elegance that doesn’t have to shout to be heard.
Daniele Pe, Co-Founder and COO was born and raised in a small village in Italy, Daniele has always been fascinated by fashion. He always felt inspired to live somewhere else, through experiencing the glamour of the fashion world and in all its uniqueness.His career did not start in fashion, but rather in management consulting, and despite that was not his calling, he had the opportunity to explore the world. He has lived in 4 continents, traveled to 80+ countries and got to understand and appreciate different cultures, discovering who he is and learning to be truly himself. Today, his collection of clothes represents the different facets of his personality, all the phases of his life so far and all the many places he has lived. His wardrobe is his journey through self-expression which is exactly what fuels the ethos of Born Outside Italy; A brand that takes the best of Italy and elevates it with an influx of cultures to create a better version of itself.

Janna Arnold, Creative Director and Designer of Sneaker001

From Offwhite to Born Outside Italy: Who is Janna Arnold? In the bustling cityscape of Paris, Janna Arnold stands as a beacon of innovation and craftsmanship. As the founder of Zwei20 Studio and the creative mind behind Born Outside Italy Sneaker 001, Arnold’s journey is as unique as her designs. Bornin the serene countryside of southern Germany, she cultivated a deep connection to nature, which subtly influences her aesthetic sensibilities.
“It was one of those introductions when myself and Daniele first met Janna, that from the get go we knew she shared our passion for both sneakers and craftsmanship”, Alfredo Bandini reflects.
Arnold’s foray into fashion began with bespoke tailoring, evolving into a passion for footwear. Her tenure at a Parisian shoe design office saw her collaborating with icons like Virgil Abloh on Off-White sneakers and Yoon Ahn for Ambush.
“Working with Virgil taught me to value creativity in all its forms,” she reflects, embodying a philosophy that transcends age, ethnicity, and gender.
Her latest venture as the creative force behind, Born Outside Italy Sneaker 001, co-founded by Alfredo Bandini and Daniele Pe, debuted its sneaker collection in the GCC earlier this year. The label’s ‘street-quiet’ style merges the laid-back boldness of streetwear with the refined craftsmanship of Italian luxury.

“We aim to inspire people to live life on their own terms,” Arnold states, encapsulating the brand’s ethos.
Zwei20 Studio, Arnold’s design agency, serves as a creative incubator, collaborating with luxury and sports brands across Europe and Asia. “It’s about diving into the entire process, from lastmaker to final product,” she says, highlighting her hands-on approach.
Arnold’s vision extends beyond aesthetics to sustainable and ethical production. “There’s much to improve in fashion, from how we work to how we value quality and sustainability,” she emphasizes, pushing for a more mindful industry. This approach mirrors that of Born Outside Italy, which was built on the ethos of bringing back the quality of craftsmanship and materials to luxury
“So many of our competitors cut corners and consumers have started to notice…we wanted to bring the traditional methods of shoe production to a new generation who are passionate about, how and where their products are made”
As Janna Arnold continues to carve her own path, she remains dedicated to fostering creativity and embracing individuality in the ever-evolving world of fashion.

“The passion for wanting to do things a little differently, the Italianness and passion behind the brand, translates into a superior a product…The product is key and were immensely proud of what we have achieved so far, but were just getting started”
With a rumored Sneaker002 coming in the fall, getting hold of an original pair of original Sneaker001 will be a seminal moment not to be missed. Future classics are Born here.

The company is based in Dubai UAE. The business has a main shop online and is soon to be available in Harvey Nichols in Dubai.

The Blue and Pink Horizon, limited edition sneaker is a capsule collection of 100 pieces, each numbered and containing a certificate of authenticity. It was described by Moses Rahshid of The Edit LND, a Global Marketplace for Sneakers, Streetwear & Luxury, “I’ve been a sneakerhead for over 2 decades. I look at several factors before deciding to purchase a shoe. Two of the main being – comfort and quality. For Born Outside Italy to be able to produce this higher quality is an indication of how their future products will be received”

The current range of sneakers start at AED 1850 and are available through the website. Free Shipping and Returns are offered throughout the GCC region. Each purchase comes complete with a signature re-usable tote bag.