Hilton [Italy] seeking information

[mack11211]

Today found a great dark brown jacket, silk and linen, unconstructed, by Hilton. To make such a light jacket that holds together takes a lot of skill, but who/what is this brand? Seems unrelated to Norman Hilton/Nick Hilton, the American brands...

 

[Carey]

I am under the impression that the Norman Hilton label is dead, and that the current line is designed by his son Nick Hilton. I think the Hilton label is what became of Oakloom, a Baltimore, MD manufacturer they bought several years ago. Oakloom made fully canvassed garments akin to Hickey-Freeman and Samuelsohn.

To what do you attribute the [Italy] note? Have you laid hands on the label, or is this garment being sold by an internet vendor? If you haven't actually seen the garment, then I wonder if it is the fabric that is of Italian provenance. If the garment was manufactured in Italy, it may have been made by Corneliani. They do the contract work for the Polo (blue) label.

 

[Zegnamtl]

Hilton is the mothership for a line know in North America as Vestimenta.
The company got in to financial trouble and closed the plant.
An investor (whom, I do not know) is said to have bought the plant and the name and a new collection is due for Fall 2007.

This brief run down was given to me by the Canadian rights holder to the line, so I think it is pretty good source.

I have a few pieces from the Vestimenta line and am pretty happy with them, they were good value for the dollar.

 

[mack11211]

Dear Carey:

The garment in question is one I now own, but did not buy at retail.

Dear Zegnamtl:

That explains it, largely. Still wondering how Hilton relates to Vestimenta qualitywise, i.e. whether it's better/worse or just different. With a jacket like this, it's all in how you cut the thing and then how you finish the seams, as there is no lining or canvassing at all.

In a related query, still wondering how Hitman relates to Cerruti, at least through the 90s...I know that Hitman was the mothership, but again better/worse or just different?

 

[Zegnamtl]

Mack,

I can not really help on a comparison as my Vestimenta and Cerruti all come from the last 5 years or so.

My Cerruti is completely de constructed, no lining at all and the Vestimenta is not. Both are pretty well made and use nice fabrics, while completely different, I like them both.