Kiton

Kiton is the trademark brand of the company Ciro Paone SpA, a company founded in 1956. It was set up at Arzano, in the province of Naples, in 1968. The name Kiton derives from the chiton ceremonial tunic worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The word chiton is derived from Ancient Greek χιτών (khitṓn, “tunic”), from a Central Semitic language *kittān (as in Maltese) from the Akkadian𒌆𒃰 (kitû, literally “flax, linen”), from Sumerian 𒄑𒃰 (kitû [GIŠ.GADA]).

In 1995, Kiton launched a line of womenswear.

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.

In 2009, Kiton bought the Carlo Barbera woollen mill, which had been founded in 1949 in Biella. This allowed Kiton to work with delicate fibers such as viscose and create specialized yarns, dyes, and weaves.

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.

In 2013, Kiton launched its retail operations in India. In 2015, Kiton launched its eyewear collection, and opened a 2,500-square-foot store in San Francisco. In 2017 to mark the opening of Pitti Immagine Uomo 91, Ciro Paone received the Pitti Immagine career award.

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. Also, in 2018, Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, awarded Kiton the Premio Leonardo Qualità Italia.

Ciro Paone, the founder of Kiton, died at 88 in his home in Naples, Italy on October 27, 2021.

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.

Leather and bomber jackets are crafted in Collecchio.