Kiton

Kiton is the trademark brand of the company Ciro Paone SpA, a company founded in 1956.{{Cite web|date=11 June 2014|editor=la Repubblica|editor-link=la Repubblica|title=Kiton, l'alta sartoria napoletana che ha stregato gli Stati Uniti|url=https://www.repubblica.it/next/eccellenze-in-digitale/2014/06/05/news/kiton_l_alta_sartoria_napoletana_che_ha_stregato_gli_stati_uniti-87001492/|language=it}} It was set up at Arzano, in the province of Naples, in 1968.{{Cite web |date=2018-03-28 |title="Il futuro dell'eleganza è la comodità": lo dice Kiton |url=https://www.esquire.com/it/stile/moda-uomo/a19618489/kiton/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Esquire |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Antonio De Matteis (Kiton) eletto ambasciatore del Made in Italy da NIAF |url=https://it.fashionnetwork.com/news/Antonio-de-matteis-eletto-ambasciatore-del-made-in-italy-da-niaf,1024427.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=it}} The name Kiton derives from the chiton ceremonial tunic worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans.{{Cite web|date=23 February 2017|editor=la Repubblica|editor-link=la Repubblica|title="Mi volevano a casa, sono diventata manager". Il riscatto nell'alta sartoria di Maria Giovanna Paone|url=https://www.repubblica.it/economia/2017/04/23/news/donne_impresa_kiton-163555833/|language=it}}{{cite web |date=14 April 2017 |editor=Il Mattino |editor-link=Il Mattino |title=Kiton, il successo di ago e filo |url=https://www.ilmattino.it/napoli/style/kiton_successo_ago_filo-2381143.html |language=it}} The word chiton is derived from a Central Semitic language *kittān (e.g. Hebrew {{lang|he|כֻּתֹּנֶת}} {{Transliteration|he|kuttṓnĕṯ}}), ultimately from a word for 'flax'.{{Cite web|title=Dress in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.|url=https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/D/dress.html|website=International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online}}{{Cite book|last=Blinderman|first=Charles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t1XYCQAAQBAJ&q=kuttoneth+chiton&pg=PA79|title=BIOLEXICON: A Guide to the Language of Biology|date=January 1, 1990|publisher=Charles C Thomas Publisher|isbn=9780398082277|via=Google Books}}

In 1995, Kiton launched a line of womenswear.{{Cite web |last=DeAcetis |first=Joseph |title=The Capitalist Touch: Kiton's Giovanna Paone Unveils Luxury Women's Collection |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephdeacetis/2012/10/22/kitons-giovanna-paone-unveils-luxury-womens-collection/ |access-date=2021-03-21 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

In 2008, Ciro Paone purchased suits and other wardrobe items that once belonged to Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, from a 1998 Sotheby's auction. These items were later showcased by Paone at the Excelsior hotel in Florence, Italy, during the biannual Pitti Uomo menswear show. The display highlighted the historical sartorial elements Paone incorporated into his contemporary designs for Kiton suits.{{Cite web |last=Kissel |first=William |date=2007-01-01 |title=Icons & Innovators: Kiton: The English Beat |url=https://robbreport.com/style/fashion/icons-innovators-kiton-english-beat-239168/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Robb Report |language=en-US}}

In 2009, Kiton bought the Carlo Barbera woollen mill, which had been founded in 1949 in Biella.{{cite news |date=21 February 2018|newspaper=Il Sole 24 Ore|editor-link=Il Sole 24 Ore|title=Da Sace un milione di euro al Lanificio Carlo Barbera (Kiton) per portare i suoi tessuti nel mondo|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/da-sace-milione-euro-lanificio-carlo-barbera-kiton-portare-suoi-tessuti-mondo--AElpho3D |url-access=subscription |language=it}} This allowed Kiton to work with delicate fibers such as viscose and create specialized yarns, dyes, and weaves.{{Cite web |last=Napoleon |date=2023-09-17 |title=Why Kiton is Worth Every Cent: The Artistry and Nuance Behind Kiton's Exquisite Luxury Tailoring |url=https://medium.com/blogninja/why-kiton-is-worth-every-cent-the-artistry-and-nuance-behind-kitons-exquisite-luxury-tailoring-d9709737e29e |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=blogninja |language=en}}

In 2013, Kiton acquired Palazzo Ferré, a building on Via Pontaccio that was home to the Gianfranco Ferré label for 14 years. After the restoration, it was planned that the second floor would house Kiton's showroom and offices, while the first floor would become a tailor's shop.{{Cite web |last=Turra |first=Alessandra |date=2013-11-27 |title=Kiton Acquires Palazzo Ferré |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/kiton-acquires-palazzo-ferr-7293961/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Chris |date=2013-11-27 |title=Kiton Announces Acquisition of Palazzo Ferré |url=https://elitetraveler.com/shopping-lifestyle/kiton-announces-acquisition-of-palazzo-ferre |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Elite Traveler |language=en-US}}

In 2013, Kiton launched its retail operations in India.{{Cite web|date=2013-10-19|title=Clothing brand Kiton comes to India|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/363965/clothing-brand-kiton-comes-india.html|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}} In 2015, Kiton launched its eyewear collection,{{Cite web|last=Szmydke|first=Paulina|date=2015-09-26|title=Kiton Launches Eyewear Line in Paris|url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/kiton-eyewear-paris-10243392/|access-date=2021-03-21|website=WWD|language=en-US}} and opened a 2,500-square-foot store in San Francisco.{{Cite web|last=Palmieri|first=Jean E.|date=2015-03-11|title=Kiton Opening San Francisco Store|url=https://wwd.com/menswear-news/mens-retail-business/kiton-opening-san-francisco-store-10094051/|access-date=2021-03-21|website=WWD|language=en-US}} In 2017 to mark the opening of Pitti Immagine Uomo 91, Ciro Paone received the Pitti Immagine career award.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-10 |title=Moda: Pitti Uomo, mostra tributo a Ciro Paone - Notizie - Ansa.it |url=https://www.ansa.it/toscana/notizie/2017/01/10/moda-pitti-uomo-mostra-tributo-a-ciro-paone_a95352b7-7141-4b67-9e73-a7ab382fd686.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it}}

In 2018, Kiton launched an athleisure collection, called KNT (Kiton New Texture). The KNT brand is owned by twins Walter and Mariano de Matteis, the latest generation of the Kiton family.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Walter e Mariano De Matteis di KNT |url=https://manintown.com/walter-mariano-de-matteis/2023/06/13/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=MANINTOWN |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web|last=Reddinger|first=Paige|date=2018-10-05|title=Kiton Gets Hip with New Urbanwear Collection KNT|url=https://robbreport.com/style/menswear/kiton-new-urbanwear-collection-knt-2821434/|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Robb Report|language=en-US}} Also, in 2018, Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, awarded Kiton the Premio Leonardo Qualità Italia.{{Cite web |title=I vincitori dei Premi Leonardo Qualità 2017 premiati a Palazzo Barberini |url=https://www.comitatoleonardo.it/it/premi/vincitori-dei-premi-leonardo-qualita-italia-2017/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Comitato Leonardo |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |date=2018-02-23 |title=Premio Leonardo Qualità Italia a Herno - Moda - Ansa.it |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/moda/2018/02/23/premio-leonardo-qualita-italia-a-herno_e8b007b9-abb7-4192-b692-472c1b25029b.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it}}

Ciro Paone, the founder of Kiton, passed away at 88 in his home in Naples, Italy on October 27, 2021.{{Cite web |last1=Salibian |first1=Sandra |last2=Carrera |first2=Martino |last3=Turra |first3=Alessandra |last4=Palmieri |first4=Jean E. |date=2021-10-27 |title=Kiton's Founder Ciro Paone Dies at 88 |url=https://wwd.com/eye/people/kiton-founder-ciro-paone-dies-1234984780/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Spötter |first=Ole |date=2021-10-28 |title=Kiton-Gründer Ciro Paone im Alter von 88 Jahren verstorben |url=https://fashionunited.de/nachrichten/personen/kiton-gruender-ciro-paone-im-alter-von-88-jahren-verstorben/2021102843495 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=FashionUnited |language=de}}{{Cite web |title="Ein Visionär, eine Legende": Italien trauert um Kiton-Gründer |url=https://www.textilwirtschaft.de/business/news/ein-visionaer-eine-legende-italien-trauert-um-kiton-gruender-233069 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=textilwirtschaft.de |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=The Death of the Father of Sartorial Fashion - Ciro Paone's Kiton legacy |url=https://isuit.it/en/blog/ciro-paone-passes-away-father-of-kiton |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=isuit.it |language=en}}

In 2022, Kiton announced a new collaboration with Beatrice Venezi.{{Cite web |last=Redazione |date=2022-06-27 |title=Kiton annuncia la nuova collaborazione con Beatrice Venezi |url=https://montenapodaily.com/2022/06/27/kiton-annuncia-la-nuova-collaborazione-con-beatrice-venezi/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Montenapo Daily |language=it-IT}} In July 2023, Kiton began dressing the team and players of the London club Tottenham Hotspur for official events.{{Cite web |last=Naef |first=Isabella |date=2023-07-27 |title=Kiton veste il Tottenham Hotspur F.C. per le occasioni formali |url=https://fashionunited.it/news/moda/kiton-veste-il-tottenham-hotspur-f-c-per-le-occasioni-formali/2023072724526 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=FashionUnited |language=it}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Knt veste il Tottenham |url=https://it.fashionnetwork.com/news/Knt-veste-il-tottenham,1540819.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=it}}

In July 2023, Kiton opened a 350 sq m flagship store in Seoul in Cheongdam-dong.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Kiton opens flagship store in Seoul |url=https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Kiton-opens-flagship-store-in-seoul,1534370.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=en-WW}}

In 2000, Kiton launched a training project with the foundation of the School of Advanced Tailoring, aimed at training new generations of tailors.{{Cite web |last=ArtifexOfficial |date=2021-06-19 |title=The Definitive Guide to Italian Tailoring Schools |url=https://www.discoverartifex.com/post/the-definitive-guide-to-italian-tailoring-schools |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Mysite |language=en}} Kiton developed this course with two main goals: to prepare young people to enter the labor market and to ensure that the workforce is constantly updated.{{Cite journal |last=D'Uonno |first=Maria |date=2017 |title=A Handbook for Tailoring Craftsmanship Industries. Communicate the Intangible Values of Traditional Methods through Images |journal=Proceedings |language=en |volume=1 |issue=9 |page=912 |doi=10.3390/proceedings1090912 |issn=2504-3900 |doi-access=free }}

The majority of the students hail from Naples, though there are also applications from international students. Approximately 80% of these students secure employment with Kiton or at other companies.{{Cite web |last=Studio |first=Fairchild |date=2023-06-16 |title=Never Stopping |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/business-features/kiton-never-stopping-1235689859/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Menkes |first=Suzy |date=2014-04-21 |title=Naples, a Haven of Hand Work |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/fashion/Naples-a-haven-of-tailoring-by-hand.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |issn=0362-4331}}

The institution offers a three-year program aimed at training individuals between the ages of 16 and 21 for professional roles. The curriculum, delivered by in-house instructors, primarily focuses on jacket creation during the first two years. In the third year, students are encouraged to pick and delve deeper into a specific production stage.{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Adam |date=2020-02-26 |title=Why Italian Tailoring Brand Kiton Has The Ultimate Bragging Rights |url=https://www.mrporter.com/en-ua/journal/fashion/why-italian-tailoring-brand-kiton-has-the-ultimate-bragging-righ-1088146 |access-date=2023-10-10}}{{Cite web |title=Italian tailoring schools {{!}} Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ece2ddd4-4065-11e0-9140-00144feabdc0 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.ft.com}}

Kiton operates in the luxury goods sector and offers bespoke service, characterized by hand-cut and basted tailored suits, as well as ready-to-wear men's and women's garments.

Kiton maintains an integrated supply chain, with five company-owned factories:

• Coats, jackets, shirts, ties, shoes, and small leather goods are produced at the company's headquarters in Arzano.{{Cite web |title=Kiton factory in Arzano {{!}} Gianni Cipriano Photography {{!}} Archive |url=https://archive.giannicipriano.com/image/I0000683skYFWZmU |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=archive.giannicipriano.com}}
• Leather and bomber jackets are crafted in Collecchio.
• Knitwear originates from Fidenza.
• Jeans are produced in Marcianise, in the province of Caserta.
• Fabrics are processed and developed at Biella, Kiton's proprietary woolen mill.

As of the end of 2022, the company employs about 850 employees and sells its products in 73 countries, with over 60 monobrand stores and 300 wholesale accounts globally.{{Cite web |title=Kiton, un'eccellenza della couture italiana maschile |url=https://forbes.it/2019/02/28/kiton-alta-moda-italiana-maschile-lusso/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208072618/https://forbes.it/2019/02/28/kiton-alta-moda-italiana-maschile-lusso/ |archive-date=2020-12-08 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=forbes.it|date=28 February 2019 }}{{Cite web |last=Toscanini |first=Industrie |date=2022-04-22 |title=Made in Italy tradition and innovation for the Kiton brand |url=https://www.toscanini.it/en/the-renewed-tradition-of-made-in-italy-kiton-makes-the-difference-mariano-and-walter-de-matteis-talk-about-knt/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Toscanini |language=en-US}}

Antonio de Matteis, the nephew of Ciro Paone, is the CEO and joint Creative Director of menswear at Kiton Group.{{Cite web |title=By the sea: Antonio de Matteis, CEO of Kiton |url=https://www.boatinternational.com/luxury-yacht-life/people-parties/by-the-sea-antonio-de-matteis-ceo-of-kiton--37235 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.boatinternational.com |language=en}} Born in Naples in 1964, he started his career at Kiton under his uncle Ciro Paone, the founder of Kiton. In 1996, Antonio joined the Ciro Paone spa shareholder package, acquiring a 10% stake. By 2007, Ciro Paone appointed him as the CEO of the group. In 2018, Antonio initiated "Knt (Kiton new textures)", the first collection by his sons, Mariano and Walter De Matteis, representing the third generation of the Kiton family. In 2021–2022, Kiton saw a 60% increase in turnover, reaching €162 million.{{Cite web |last=Naef |first=Isabella |date=2023-02-23 |title=Pitti Immagine: Antonio De Matteis (Kiton) è il nuovo presidente |url=https://fashionunited.it/news/persone/pitti-immagine-antonio-de-matteis-kiton-e-il-nuovo-presidente/2023022324024 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=FashionUnited |language=it}}{{Cite web |title=AL POSTO DI CLAUDIO MARENZI: Antonio De Matteis (Kiton) è il nuovo presidente di Pitti Immagine |url=https://www.fashionmagazine.it/community/al-posto-di-claudio-marenzi-antonio-de-matteis-kiton--il-nuovo-presidente-di-pitti-immagine-111132 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.fashionmagazine.it |language=it}}

Maria Giovanna Paone, daughter of Ciro Paone, is the president and the creative director of the brand's womenswear.{{Cite web |last=Lockwood |first=Lisa |date=2015-10-27 |title=Kiton Seeks to Build Women's Collection |url=https://wwd.com/feature/kiton-seeks-to-build-womens-collection-10267216/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Crescono la donna e le borse: Kiton: i ricavi annuali salgono a 160 milioni |url=https://www.fashionmagazine.it/market/crescono-la-donna-e-le-borse-kiton-i-ricavi-annuali-salgono-a-160-milioni-111142 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.fashionmagazine.it |language=it}}

Maria Giovanna joined Kiton in 1986 and, under her leadership in 1995, introduced a line of womenswear. Paone currently holds the positions of president and creative director of the womenswear division at Kiton. She is an advocate for slow fashion and has been instrumental in expanding the women's collection with new accessories. Under Paone, the women's collection emphasized tailored jackets suitable for a range of settings and customers. By 2013, womenswear accounted for 20% of Kiton's total growth, with a marked presence in international markets, including Japan, Korea, Canada, and the U.S. The line's success also led to the development of a women's accessories range. Paone recognized the growing interest of women in high-end tailoring, a field often associated with men. In recognition of her contributions to the fashion industry, Paone received the Italian Forbes CEO Award in the Fashion category in 2021.

Antonio Paone is the president of Kiton USA. He began his career at Kiton, working from the ground up, starting as a driver and later becoming a fabric scout across Europe. By 2004, he had risen to the role of commercial director and subsequently oversaw Kiton's US operations. Under his leadership, Kiton has expanded, notably with a new women's store on Madison Avenue, and he also spearheaded the growth of Sartorio Napoli, a Kiton family brand.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-23 |title=Running Two Companies With Style: Antonio Paone |url=https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/running-two-companies-with-style-antonio-paone/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=The European Business Review |language=en-GB}}

• Made in Italy

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Category:Companies based in Campania

Category:Clothing brands of Italy

Category:High fashion brands

Category:Clothing companies established in 1968

Category:Italian suit makers

Category:Italian companies established in 1968

Category:Metropolitan City of Naples

Category:Neapolitan tailoring