Malo was founded in Florence in 1972 by brothers Alfredo and Giacomo Canessa and became one of Italy's best-known pure-cashmere labels, prized for the softness of its finishing. After passing through several owners and a court auction, it was bought in March 2025 by US fund Glickman Capital, which relaunched the brand with a new creative direction. Cashmere pieces are priced roughly €950–2,900.
Key facts
- Founded 1972 in Florence by Alfredo and Giacomo Canessa; production centred on Campi Bisenzio
- Part of IT Holding from 1999, then Evanthe/Exa from 2010
- Acquired by Glickman Capital in March 2025 following a Florence court auction
- Official store trades actively with cashmere pieces from about €950
Fibres and construction
Malo works principally in Cashmere, Merino wool, Silk & silk blends, Sea Island & long-staple cotton. Construction and techniques associated with the house include fully-fashioned and intarsia. It is based in Italy, a country that is the largest and most influential luxury knitwear producer.
How to judge Malo 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.
- Merino quality depends on micron (extra-fine is under 18.5 µm) and on worsted spinning; fine-gauge pieces (21–30 gg) are a technical speciality worth paying for.
- 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
Malo: frequently asked questions
Where is Malo knitwear made?
Malo is based in Florence, Italy. Founded 1972 in Florence by Alfredo and Giacomo Canessa; production centred on Campi Bisenzio.
What is Malo known for?
Malo is known for florentine pure-cashmere label known for an exceptionally soft hand, relaunched in 2025. Its principal fibres are Cashmere, Merino wool, Silk & silk blends and Sea Island & long-staple cotton.
Is Malo a luxury brand?
Malo sits in the ultra-luxury tier of this index (typically above $1,000 for a sweater). Its construction methods include fully-fashioned and intarsia. It is listed here on the basis of fibre quality, construction and provenance rather than price alone.
How much does Malo knitwear cost?
Malo is typically above $1,000 for a sweater at the time of writing. Official store trades actively with cashmere pieces from about €950
Sources
- https://malo.com/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malo_(company)
- https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/italian-heritage-brand-malo-relaunches-with-new-vision/2025112085006
Facts verified against the sources above on 16 September 2026. Prices are indicative and change; check the house's own site.