Kiton was founded in 1968 by Ciro Paone at Arzano near Naples and is best known for handmade tailoring, but its knitwear is a substantial offering in its own right. The house develops its yarns through its own Lanificio Carlo Barbera mill, including vicuña at roughly 12.5 microns and a 14-micron cashmere collection, and its sweaters are built through a 22-step process, around half by hand.
Key facts
- Founded 1968 by Ciro Paone in Arzano, on the outskirts of Naples
- Owns the Carlo Barbera fabric mill; knitwear is produced at its Fidenza facility
- Vicuña described on Kiton's own fabrics page as averaging 12.5 microns
- Promotes a 14-micron cashmere yarn collection; cashmere-silk sweaters from about €1,260
Fibres and construction
Kiton works principally in Cashmere, Vicuña, Silk & silk blends. Construction and techniques associated with the house include hand-finished and fully-fashioned. It is based in Italy, a country that is the largest and most influential luxury knitwear producer.
How to judge Kiton quality
- For cashmere pieces, look for a stated micron count or grade, 2-ply yarn for sweaters, and a dense knit with no daylight through plain areas. See the cashmere grading guide.
- Genuine vicuña carries CITES-compliant labelling identifying origin; it is usually undyed and priced in the thousands.
- This house knits fully-fashioned: check for fashioning marks along the armhole and flat, linked seams inside — the signatures of shaped, stitch-by-stitch construction.
Similar houses
Kiton: frequently asked questions
Where is Kiton knitwear made?
Kiton is based in Arzano, Naples, Italy. Founded 1968 by Ciro Paone in Arzano, on the outskirts of Naples.
What is Kiton known for?
Kiton is known for vicuña and 14-micron cashmere knitwear from a Neapolitan house that owns its own mill. Its principal fibres are Cashmere, Vicuña and Silk & silk blends.
Is Kiton a luxury brand?
Kiton sits in the ultra-luxury tier of this index (typically above $1,000 for a sweater). Its construction methods include hand-finished and fully-fashioned. It is listed here on the basis of fibre quality, construction and provenance rather than price alone.
How much does Kiton knitwear cost?
Kiton is typically above $1,000 for a sweater at the time of writing. Promotes a 14-micron cashmere yarn collection; cashmere-silk sweaters from about €1,260
Sources
Facts verified against the sources above on 16 September 2026. Prices are indicative and change; check the house's own site.