The journey of the Neapolitan brand Kiton exemplifies how talent, passion, and dedication to one's craft inevitably lead to success. Established in 1968 near Naples by Ciro Paone, Kiton has its roots deeply embedded in the textile trade, a legacy spanning five generations of Paone’s family. Leveraging his connections with numerous tailors, Ciro successfully convinced 40 individuals to join his factory. He maintained traditional working methods, organizing production uniquely. Today, despite employing 350 tailors, Kiton adheres to these original principles.
In typical ateliers, tailors handle all aspects of suit-making except for buttonhole embroidery. However, Kiton employs fully skilled tailors capable of sewing an entire suit. The work is divided, with each person specializing in a specific task. These tailors, primarily men, are grouped by their operations, working at shared tables or stations. They rely on basic tools like scissors, needles, and thread, minimizing machine use. Even the factory's old 8-kilogram irons remain in use, preferring them over modern steam systems.
Seasoned employees manage the cutting tables, especially when working with plaid or striped fabrics, ensuring each jacket is cut individually with scissors. Kiton combines traditional craftsmanship with an industrial production cycle, creating about a hundred suits daily. Each suit requires 27 hours of work, 1800 steps, and the efforts of 25 individuals. The Kiton suit is a Neapolitan classic featuring soft shoulders, minimal padding, a boat pocket, and numerous handcrafted details, including buttonhole linings.
Kiton takes pride in its exclusive fabric collections, sourced from top manufacturers in Italy and the UK and produced in its own facilities, such as the renowned Carlo Barbera factory in Biella. The Kiton warehouse houses 30,000 meters of fabric valued at 10 million euros. Noteworthy examples include the finest Carlo Barbera wool with a fiber thickness of only 12.8 micrometers and the reflective Solaro fabric made from ultra-thin wool (13.2 microns). Kiton also offers a range of shirts, ties, and shoes. The Sartale store features an extensive selection of Kiton products, from classic suits to shirts, polo shirts, jeans, shoes, and outerwear.
