Italian luxury clothing brand best known for cashmere knitwear and Made in Italy production.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Malo is an Italian luxury apparel brand specializing in cashmere and other fine-knit products. The company was established in Florence in 1972 by brothers Alfredo and Giacomo Canessa. Its name derives from the Latin expression malo, meaning “I prefer,” and the brand developed its identity around Italian craftsmanship, refined materials, and a strong association with cashmere. The business initially operated as Malo Tricot Srl. In 1973 it moved from Florence to Campi Bisenzio, in the province of Florence, where it began cashmere production. During the 1970s and 1980s, Malo became known in Italy for its knitwear. The company adopted the corporate name Malo SpA in 1980 and expanded beyond its original Tuscan base, including the opening of a Milan showroom. International distribution followed with the creation of Malo USA Inc. in New York in 1984. Malo pursued vertical and industrial expansion during the 1980s. In 1988 it acquired Velley SpA, a knitting mill in Alessandria, and Abor Srl in Piacenza. In 1989 the company changed its name to Mac, an abbreviation of Manufacturing Associate Cashmere. From the 1990s onward, its strategy placed greater emphasis on exports and international retail. Sales offices were established in markets including New York, Düsseldorf, Paris, and Tokyo, while flagship stores were used to present the brand directly to customers. The company also participated in consolidation within Italy’s cashmere sector. In 1994 it announced the acquisition of competitor MGM Malima from Armando Poggio, a transaction described as strengthening the Associate Cashmere Manufacturing Group’s position in national cashmere production. Malo later became part of the Itierre group, within IT Holding, in 1999. It remained associated with that group until the consequences of IT Holding’s collapse led to a separation. In October 2010, Malo was acquired by Evanthe, a company belonging to the Italian Exa group. The brand was subsequently acquired by a private investment fund in 2014. Malo expanded its retail presence in resort and luxury-shopping destinations. Flagships opened in Courmayeur and Marbella in 2001, followed by a Beverly Hills boutique in 2002. In 2006, the brand made its fashion-week debut in New York with an autumn-winter collection designed by Fabio Piras. Later collections involved designers including Roberto Rimondi, Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Hamish Morrow, Xavier Palatella, and William Capone. In 2015, co-founder Giacomo Canessa returned to the brand, and Malo opened three additional flagship stores during the summer: one in Saint-Tropez and two in Moscow. Malo’s production model combines raw cashmere sourced through a process associated with Mongolia with spinning, dyeing, and finishing in Italian facilities. The company has described production in Florence and Piacenza, using both traditional hand-operated frames and modern machinery. Although cashmere knitwear remains its signature category, the brand has also offered ready-to-wear clothing, leather goods, footwear, accessories, and houseware. Collections are seasonal and distributed through Malo-owned stores, multi-brand retailers, and selected department stores in various international markets. Its Milan showroom is used for prêt-à-porter presentations, while its headquarters and key production activity remain linked to the Florence area.
History
Malo began in Florence in 1972, when brothers Alfredo and Giacomo Canessa founded Malo Tricot Srl. The company relocated in 1973 to Campi Bisenzio, near Florence, and commenced cashmere production there. Its early development was rooted in Tuscany’s textile and manufacturing environment, and the brand became nationally recognized during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1980 the company became Malo SpA and began expanding its commercial infrastructure, including a showroom in Milan. The next phase was internationalization: Malo USA Inc. opened in New York in 1984 to distribute knitwear in the United States. In 1988, Malo acquired Velley SpA, a knitting mill in Alessandria, and Abor Srl in Piacenza. These transactions supported the expansion of its manufacturing and processing capabilities beyond Tuscany. In 1989 Malo SpA changed its name to Mac, standing for Manufacturing Associate Cashmere. From the 1990s, the company emphasized exports and direct international exposure. Sales offices were opened in New York, Düsseldorf, Paris, and Tokyo, and the brand developed flagship stores intended to reinforce its luxury positioning. In 1994, Malo announced the acquisition of MGM Malima, an Italian competitor purchased from Armando Poggio. The transaction was presented as making the Associate Cashmere Manufacturing Group a national leader in cashmere production. Malo joined the Itierre group, part of IT Holding, in 1999. It remained within that structure until the group’s later difficulties and collapse resulted in a separation. In October 2010, Evanthe acquired Malo; Evanthe was identified as belonging to the Italian Exa group. The brand changed ownership again in 2014, when it was acquired by a private investment fund. Publicly available reference material does not identify the fund by name. Retail expansion included boutiques in Courmayeur and Marbella in 2001 and Beverly Hills in 2002. Malo also sought greater visibility in the international fashion system. In 2006 it presented an autumn-winter collection at New York Fashion Week, with Fabio Piras credited as designer and later collections associated with Roberto Rimondi, Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Hamish Morrow, Xavier Palatella, and William Capone. Giacomo Canessa returned to Malo in 2015. That summer, the company opened three new flagships: one in Saint-Tropez and two in Moscow. Malo’s distribution model has included company stores, multi-brand boutiques, and selected department stores in different countries. Its headquarters are in Campi Bisenzio, while prêt-à-porter presentations have been held at a Milan showroom. Cashmere remains central to the brand’s identity and production. The raw fleece is associated with Mongolia, while spinning and dyeing take place in Italian workshops. Final weaving uses both traditional hand-operated frames and contemporary machinery. Malo has identified production facilities in Florence and Piacenza and has extended its range beyond knitwear into leather goods, footwear, accessories, and homeware. The brand’s broader proposition is therefore based on Italian-made luxury clothing with specialist expertise in cashmere and fine-gauge knitting.
- 2015
Co-founder returned and new flagships opened
[1]Giacomo Canessa returned to the brand, which also opened stores in Saint-Tropez and Moscow.
- 2014
Acquired by a private investment fund
[1]Malo changed ownership through an acquisition by an unidentified private investment fund.
- 2010
Acquired by Evanthe
[1]Evanthe, associated with the Italian Exa group, acquired Malo in October.
- 2006
New York Fashion Week debut
[1]Malo presented an autumn-winter collection at New York Fashion Week.
- 2002
Beverly Hills boutique opened
[1]Malo added a boutique in Beverly Hills, extending its United States retail presence.
- 2001
Flagships opened in Courmayeur and Marbella
[1]The brand expanded its retail network into two international luxury and resort destinations.
- 1999
Joined the Itierre group
[1]Malo became part of the Itierre group within IT Holding.
- 1994
MGM Malima acquisition announced
[1]Malo announced the acquisition of Italian competitor MGM Malima.
- 1989
Corporate name changed to Mac
[1]Malo SpA adopted the name Mac, short for Manufacturing Associate Cashmere.
- 1988
Manufacturing expansion through acquisitions
[1]Malo acquired Velley SpA and Abor Srl, adding Italian knitting and manufacturing capacity.
Products and positioning
Italian luxury and artisanal knitwear, centered on cashmere, premium materials, and Made in Italy production.
Knitwear · 1973
Cashmere knitwear
Malo’s signature category consists of cashmere sweaters and related knitted garments. The production process combines cashmere fleece associated with Mongolia with spinning, dyeing, and finishing in Italy. The company has used traditional hand-operated frames alongside modern machinery, supporting a luxury proposition based on softness, fine construction, and Italian manufacturing.
Apparel
Seasonal ready-to-wear
Malo produces seasonal collections of luxury ready-to-wear clothing. The range developed beyond the company’s original regional knitwear focus and has been presented through its Milan showroom and international retail network. The collections maintain a strong connection to cashmere and fine-gauge textiles while incorporating broader apparel categories.
Accessories
Leather goods and footwear
In addition to clothing and knitwear, Malo has offered leather goods and footwear. These categories extend the brand’s luxury apparel proposition into complementary accessories and are distributed through its direct retail network and selected external retailers.
Home accessories
Homeware
Malo has also developed houseware products alongside its fashion collections. Available reference material identifies the category but does not provide a detailed product breakdown or launch chronology.
Brand decisions
2015
Expanded the flagship-store networkStrategyBackground
Malo continued to use directly operated boutiques to support its luxury positioning and international reach.
Action taken
The brand opened one flagship in Saint-Tropez and two in Moscow during the summer.
Aftermath
The openings expanded the brand’s direct retail presence in France and Russia.
2014
Acquired by a private investment fundM&ABackground
Malo underwent another ownership transition after its acquisition by Evanthe.
Action taken
An unidentified private investment fund acquired Malo.
Aftermath
Giacomo Canessa returned to the brand in 2015, and Malo continued its flagship-store expansion.
2010
Acquired by EvantheM&ABackground
Malo changed ownership after its period within the IT Holding structure.
Action taken
Evanthe, identified as part of the Italian Exa group, acquired the brand in October.
Aftermath
The acquisition began a new ownership period, followed by another ownership change in 2014.
2006
Presented its first New York Fashion Week collectionProduct launchBackground
Malo sought greater international fashion visibility for its seasonal collections.
Action taken
The brand presented an autumn-winter collection at New York Fashion Week, designed by Fabio Piras.
Aftermath
The presentation marked Malo’s fashion-week debut; the source does not provide measurable commercial results.
1999
Joined the Itierre groupM&ABackground
Malo sought the support and structure of a larger Italian fashion group.
Action taken
The brand joined Itierre, part of IT Holding.
Aftermath
Malo remained within the group until the consequences of IT Holding’s collapse led to its separation.
1994
Acquired competitor MGM MalimaM&ABackground
Malo pursued consolidation in Italy’s cashmere manufacturing sector.
Action taken
Malo announced the acquisition of MGM Malima from Armando Poggio.
Aftermath
The transaction was described as making the Associate Cashmere Manufacturing Group a national leader in cashmere production.
1988
Expanded manufacturing through two acquisitionsM&ABackground
Malo was expanding beyond its original Tuscan base and sought additional production capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired Velley SpA in Alessandria and Abor Srl in Piacenza.
Aftermath
The acquisitions broadened Malo’s Italian manufacturing footprint, although the available source does not quantify their financial or operational impact.
Sources1 sources
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