Catimini
IDKIDS · France
Catimini is a French children's clothing brand created in 1972 by Monique and Paul Salmon. It was long part of the Kidiliz group and is now described as a subsidiary of IDKIDS. It dresses children from birth to 14 years.
| Founded | 1972, as Cathy mini; renamed Catimini in 1975 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Monique and Paul Salmon |
| Owner | IDKIDS (per company database) |
| Country | France |
| Segment | Childrenswear, ages 0 to 14 |
| Website | catimini.com |
What is Catimini?
Catimini is a French childrenswear label for ages 0 to 14. It was created in 1972 under the name "Cathy mini" by Monique and Paul Salmon and adopted the name Catimini in 1975.
History
The brand grew steadily through its own stores. A 2020 trade profile counted 50 stores in 1987, 114 worldwide in 1998 and more than 220 monobrand stores in over 40 countries, alongside 935 multibrand points of sale. In 2003 Catimini added licensed products such as shoes, eyewear, wallpaper and bed linen, and in 2015 it launched its first eau de toilette.
For many years Catimini belonged to the Kidiliz group, the former Groupe Zannier. Kidiliz entered judicial reorganisation in September 2020 and went into liquidation in November 2020. A company database now lists Catimini as a subsidiary of the IDKIDS group.
Products and positioning
Catimini sits in the premium end of French children's fashion, with collections for babies, girls and boys. Collaborations have been part of its marketing, including a summer 2020 collection with Make My Lemonade for children aged 4 to 12, and it opened a store in Italy in March 2019.
Business model and distribution
The brand combined a network of own stores with multibrand retailers, and extended its reach through licences. The figures above date from before the Kidiliz liquidation, so they should not be read as the current network.
Why it matters
Catimini is a long-established French children's name whose history mirrors the consolidation and breakup of European childrenswear groups. Its move from Kidiliz to IDKIDS shows how surviving brands were regrouped after the 2020 liquidation.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Catimini?
A company database lists Catimini as a subsidiary of the IDKIDS group. Previously it belonged to Kidiliz, which went into liquidation in 2020.
Where is Catimini from?
Catimini is a French brand. It was created in 1972 as Cathy mini by Monique and Paul Salmon and renamed Catimini in 1975.