Harmont & Blaine
Italy
Harmont & Blaine is a Naples-based Italian brand of Mediterranean-style casualwear, recognisable by its dachshund logo. It describes itself as a Neapolitan maison founded in 1995 and has been AC Milan's official style partner since 2020.
| Founded | 1995 (per the brand; Wikipedia says 1986 as PDM) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Naples, Italy |
| Investor | Clessidra (35 per cent stake from 2014, per Wikipedia) |
| Sports partnership | AC Milan official style partner since 2020 |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| Website | harmontblaine.com |
What is Harmont & Blaine?
Harmont & Blaine is an Italian clothing brand from Naples. The official website describes it as a Neapolitan maison founded in 1995 with clothing in a Mediterranean style, a dachshund logo and a "feel good everyday style". Wikipedia dates the firm to 1986, when it began as PDM, and says it was renamed Harmont & Blaine in 2006, so the dates differ between sources.
History
According to Wikipedia, the firm was founded by Domenico Menniti, Enzo Menniti, Paolo Montefusco and Massimo Montefusco. It started with leather gloves, added swimwear in 1993, and expanded into shirts, trousers and sweaters in 1995. It opened its first boutique in Frattamaggiore in 2000 and later launched shoes and junior lines. In October 2014 the private equity firm Clessidra acquired a 35 per cent stake. Harmont & Blaine marked its 25th anniversary with a limited collection of 25 striped shirts.
Products and positioning
The brand sells casualwear led by polo shirts, shirts, trousers and knitwear. Blaine is a diffusion line positioned around smart style and smart price.
Business model and distribution
Wikipedia reported about 140 points of sale in 2020, including boutiques in Italy, Capri, Miami, Prague, Paris and Cannes, with its Qatar presence through Abuissa Holding. The official site says it opened its first direct boutique in Miami and a flagship in Madrid, with stores also in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Mexico City. Its marketing relies on sports partnerships: it became AC Milan's official style partner in 2020 and also partners with the women's team of AS Roma.
Why it matters
Harmont & Blaine shows how an independent Neapolitan company can turn a single recognisable symbol into an international casualwear brand, supported by sports sponsorship and a mix of own stores and partners.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Harmont & Blaine from?
Harmont & Blaine is an Italian brand from Naples. The brand's logo is a dachshund and its style is described as Mediterranean.
Who owns Harmont & Blaine?
Wikipedia describes it as a private company in which the private equity firm Clessidra acquired a 35 per cent stake in October 2014. The sources reviewed do not give a current ownership structure.