Kiton Honoured With The SFA Education Of Excellence Award

At the iconic Teatro alla Scala, Kiton was awarded the prestigious SFA Education of Excellence Award during the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2025, an evening dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability in the luxury fashion industry.

The ceremony, organized by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in collaboration with the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion and with the support of the Municipality of Milan, gathered the most influential names in global luxury. The accolade was presented to Kiton for its Tailoring School (Scuola di Alta Sartoria), a project that has become a benchmark for safeguarding cultural heritage and ensuring the transmission of Italian sartorial traditions.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Education

Founded in 2000 by Ciro Paone, the Kiton School of High Tailoring was created with the mission of training a new generation of artisans in the art of Neapolitan tailoring. Entirely tuition-free, the school welcomes young people aged 16 to 21, offering them a three-year curriculum taught by Kiton’s master tailors. Students progress from mastering the complete jacket-making process — the symbol of Kiton’s excellence — to specializing in specific stages of production during their final year.

Over the past 25 years, hundreds of students have graduated, equipped not only with technical mastery but also with the values of dignity, discipline, and passion. Many have seamlessly transitioned into careers at Kiton, carrying forward the house’s philosophy of uncompromising craftsmanship.

A Global Recognition for a Unique Educational Model

The international jury praised Kiton’s initiative as a unique identity-driven project, one that combines cultural preservation with social responsibility. The award was presented by Trudie Styler, actress, humanitarian, producer, and director, who highlighted the importance of fostering artisanal education as a pathway to sustainability and heritage preservation.

Accepting the award alongside Maria Giovanna Paone, President of Kiton, CEO Antonio De Matteis dedicated the recognition to the school’s founder and the younger generation:

“This recognition belongs first and foremost to our uncle Ciro, who twenty-five years ago had the vision and courage to create a true school of training. Today we accept it as a family, but our deepest gratitude goes to the young people: to those who, over the years, entered the school with hope and left with passion, craft and dignity. They are the ones who have taught us how right and necessary it is to trust the new generations.”

The Future of Sartorial Excellence

In a powerful symbol of continuity, three newly graduated students joined the stage with their Maestro, embodying the enduring bond between tradition and innovation. Their presence underscored Kiton’s role in shaping the future of artisanal luxury while remaining true to its heritage of handcraft, quality, and timeless style.

With this award, Kiton reaffirms its position as a guardian of sartorial artistry and a visionary leader in the dialogue between tradition and sustainability in luxury fashion.