“"Our mission is to spread quality throughout the world." A statement that leaves no doubt, especially when speaking from Maria Giovanna Paone, now at the helm of Kiton, the family business inherited from her father Ciro.
The history of this haute couture company, now a leading brand of Made in Italy fashion, has its roots in Naples, in the passion of a family of textile merchants who had a shop in the central Piazza Mercato.
“In 1968, my father detected the first signs of a crisis in the tailoring industry and found a way to turn it into an opportunity. In the 1960s, everyone wanted to wear ready-to-wear rather than tailored garments, so he had the idea of bringing together several tailors he knew in a single environment, assigning each one a specific stage of the garment production process, benefiting from their skill and talent while simultaneously initiating a process of product industrialization. This allowed the company to grow both nationally and internationally, and created an ever-increasing workforce.
A journey that began in Naples and has conquered Europe and the world, where Kiton now has a strong presence with eight stores in the United States, eleven in China, six in Korea, and a new store currently under development in Japan. Tradition and innovation, a global reach, and deep roots in the Campania region are the cornerstones of the brand's success.
“Kiton owes so much to Naples because it's the source of its workforce: there couldn't be another Kiton anywhere else in the world. We've certainly brought innovation through the industrialization of our tailoring, and our flagship is undoubtedly the School of Haute Couture, open to young people aged 16 to 21 and completely free. It's a genuine social service we offer to bring together many young people who haven't yet found their path, but who have a passion for craftsmanship. What I always tell them is that here we learn a craft: therefore, to be a good student and a future tailor, you need passion.
Eighty of the School of Haute Couture graduates work for the company: a significant number that also marks a generational shift in the industry. "All our employees are part of the family to us, and this is no coincidence," she continues. "Today, all luxury products in the world are produced in Italy, and the reason is precisely linked to the presence and the idea of family that is intrinsic to the company itself. This is something I have never found in any other country.".
By supporting exports first and foremost, but also by providing liquidity support for sustainable growth in Italy and globally, SACE supports Kiton's strategic plans. The latest transaction, recently announced, sees SACE guarantee a €10 million loan, aimed at strengthening the Group's logistics department to support volume growth, while also placing a greater focus on women's product lines. The financing will also include the construction of new directly operated stores, such as the one recently opened in Tokyo, in addition to the eleven already existing in Europe. The project will also include the renovation of Kiton-branded retail spaces, with the aim of constantly updating the image and in-store experiences.
“"SACE is a crucial partner for us, having supported us throughout our development," emphasizes Maria Giovanna Paone. "Our long-standing collaboration is also the result of SACE's excellent listening skills and flexibility in finding new solutions suited to the many growth needs of our business and our projects.".