Malo
Italy
Malo is an Italian cashmere and knitwear house founded in Florence in 1972 by the brothers Giacomo and Alfredo Canessa. Since 2018 it has been owned by the Italian entrepreneurs Walter Maiocchi and Luigino Belloni.
| Founded | 1972, Florence |
|---|---|
| Founders | Giacomo and Alfredo Canessa |
| Owners | Walter Maiocchi and Luigino Belloni (since September 2018) |
| Headquarters | Campi Bisenzio (Florence), Italy |
| Segment | Luxury and designer houses |
| Website | malo.com |
What is Malo?
Malo is an Italian luxury knitwear house. The official site calls it a luxury Italian knitwear house founded in Florence in 1972 that transformed cashmere into a language of softness and beauty. Its workshops are in Tuscany, and materials include cashmere, cashmere silk, extra-fine merino, Makò cotton and Indian cotton.
History
Italian Wikipedia reports that Malo Tricot S.r.l. was founded in 1972 in Florence by the brothers Giacomo and Alfredo Canessa from Genoa. It moved to Campi Bisenzio in 1973 and began cashmere knitwear production. The key steps that followed were:
- 1980: became Malo S.p.A. and opened a Milan showroom.
- 1984: set up a US distribution company in New York.
- 1994: acquired the competitor Mgm Malima.
- 1999: joined the Ittierre group, which later collapsed financially.
- 2010: acquired by Evanthe, part of the Exa group.
- 2014: acquired by Quadro Capital Partners.
- 2018: acquired by Walter Maiocchi and Luigino Belloni.
Ownership and operations
Since September 2018 the company has been owned by a group of Italian entrepreneurs, Maiocchi and Belloni, according to Italian Wikipedia. Management, design, logistics and some production are at Campi Bisenzio, while most cashmere garments are made at a plant in Borgonovo Val Tidone in Piacenza. These facts were reported without a date, so they may have changed.
Business model and distribution
Malo sells knitwear through its own online store and boutiques and, historically, through wholesale and a New York distribution company. The brand runs a membership programme, Malo House, with seasonal previews, private orders and care services, and a repair and renewal service called Malo Forever. At the time of review the site listed cashmere polos and turtlenecks at about 1,050 to 2,500 euros.
Why it matters
Malo is a long-standing Florentine cashmere specialist that survived several ownership changes, including the collapse of a former parent, and was relaunched under private Italian owners. It competes in the high-end knitwear category with Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli and Fedeli.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Malo?
According to Italian Wikipedia, a group of Italian entrepreneurs, Walter Maiocchi and Luigino Belloni, has owned Malo since September 2018.
Where is Malo from?
Malo is from Florence, Italy, where it was founded in 1972. It is headquartered at Campi Bisenzio near Florence, and its workshops are in Tuscany.