At the last Pitti British buyers, the US and Japan were among those who most loved the Cuban-inspired prints of the new men’s collection of Kinloch, he declined in ties, clutch bags, polo shirts and shirts , but also from socks and sea accessories. Since it was launched, in 2013, the brand has also been appreciated for the quality of its creative prints (which some did think a little Hermès Italian) and is now living a new phase of recovery, which also passes through further international expansion, with David Mongelli, founder of Sum ventures, a venture capital company in Milan that invests in start up, early stage and micro enterprises in the fashion industry, with a territorial focus on Northern Italy.
“Even in Italy there is a lot of activity in the start-up world, but we should not focus only on those focused on apps and social networks, mimicking a more American model and German , having, moreover, there is a much more advanced technology ecosystem – explains Mongelli -. The sector in which Italy is ahead, and where the ecosystem is ready, with excellence and technical and creative skills, is made in Italy, which are very suited for export, which requires relatively low initial investments generating high marginality, and that gives proof of its operation quickly, within 12-18 months. ”
Each item is hand made in Como, with the silks of the district, but also with Biella and Vigevano tissues. The entry price is € 90 for a clutch of up to 600 large scarves in wool and cashmere, but there are also special products, sold in the American market, which can be up to a thousand dollars. “We have just launched the unisex socks – the manager goes on – but our attitude for prints could be declined in many other industries, from cars to hotels.”
In 2016, 75-80% of the turnover Kinloch (that being still in an initial stage does not exceed 500 thousand euro) will come from abroad: Japan kicked off the international expansion strategy, that will bring the brand in Canada, Spain and Switzerland, the latter because it “opens the German market and has a very international clientele,” Spain because “it is a port for South America.”
However, the first-ever market for Kinloch is far Japan: “At first we focused on Italy, but we realized that there were more room for growth overseas. We have an agreement in Japan with Filorosso (which distributes in the country of made brands in Italy tailoring, ed ), which allowed us to get in a complex market but perfect for our target, since enthusiast quality and novelty. Within the last two years we have entered almost every major store for men, and we are about to inaugurate two more pop up store temporary in both.
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