NEAPOLITAN STYLE: Italian tailoring brand Kiton launched its eyewear with a gourmet soiree at its Paris store on Friday night. Amid its suits, chef Nino di Costanzo served the best of Neapolitan cuisine, a nod to the brand’s southern Italian roots.
Over aubergine bruschetta and crunchy sfogliatella, the region’s cream-stuffed pastry, Kiton chief executive officer Antonio De Matteis explained: “The glasses are supposed to be like a good suit. Every piece is custom-made for us and carefully assembled one by one.”
The eight styles of optical frames and sunglasses in 12 colors are made of titanium and cellulose acetate that is produced for Kiton by Mazzucchelli. The frames’ screws mimic those of Kiton’s tailoring scissors, while the lenses come from Barberini.
According to De Matteis, it’s the first time this Italian optics specialist produced a lens as thin and as flat as this one. “It’s a so-called basic lens 2. Usually, the industry uses a lens 6, so this makes the glasses ultra-light, while keeping a high performance,” the executive explained.
The men’s collection, which retails between 400 euros, or $446 at current exchange, and 700 euros, or $782, is slated to grow by two to three styles per season, while a ladies’ line is to follow in spring.
“We are not looking to be everywhere and make a million of glasses. We just hope to approach a new Kiton consumer, one that is younger and that appreciates quality made in Italy,” De Matteis said.
Source: WWD.com
