Koio is an American luxury sneaker brand founded in 2015 in New York by Johannes Quodt and Chris Wichert, who met at business school and built the company around a direct-to-consumer model for Italian-made footwear.
The brand's sneakers are handcrafted in family-owned factories in Italy, primarily in the Marche region, using full-grain leathers from Italian tanneries, including hides certified by the Leather Working Group. Signature models include the Capri low-top, a minimalist white leather sneaker that anchors the line, alongside the Avalanche hiking-inspired silhouette and seasonal suede and nubuck styles for men and women. By selling directly through its own channels, Koio positions handcrafted Italian quality below the price points of comparable sneakers from European fashion houses.
Koio is headquartered in New York City and sells through its e-commerce platform and a small number of its own retail stores in the United States. The brand has produced collaborations with athletes, artists, and hospitality brands, and emphasizes durability and craftsmanship over logo-driven design.