Kiton MTM

[Mecnun]

I have recently ordered a MTM Kiton cashmere sport-coat and a shirt to go with it. Unfortunately when the products came back from Naples they were nowhere near what I expectd in terms of quality of fit ans structure and they had also gotten my order wrong.

For the jacket I wanted kissing working buttons ( I got normal working buttons), patch pockets throughout (I got only patch pockets on sides, but regular pocket on top) and the jacket was definetly loose on the waist and chest.

For the shirt I wanted two buttons on the sleevends and one button on the collar and I got exactly the reverse! The shirt also looked like it was two sizes o big for me.

I have complained severely to the retailer where I have ordered the products (by the way I was fitted by Kiton's Naples tailors), but I really dont know what to do about it? Do I really pay know c. £4,000 for a jacket and c.£400 for a shirt I really dont like? Can I please get some advise? WOuld it be unfair to aks them to completely redo both items (which they probably have to do given they got the pockets wrong?) Many thanks for advice.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by Mecnun

I have recently ordered a MTM Kiton cashmere sport-coat and a shirt to go with it. Unfortunately when the products came back from Naples they were nowhere near what I expectd in terms of quality of fit ans structure and they had also gotten my order wrong.

For the jacket I wanted kissing working buttons ( I got normal working buttons), patch pockets throughout (I got only patch pockets on sides, but regular pocket on top) and the jacket was definetly loose on the waist and chest.

For the shirt I wanted two buttons on the sleevends and one button on the collar and I got exactly the reverse! The shirt also looked like it was two sizes o big for me.

I have complained severely to the retailer where I have ordered the products (by the way I was fitted by Kiton's Naples tailors), but I really dont know what to do about it? Do I really pay know c. £4,000 for a jacket and c.£400 for a shirt I really dont like? Can I please get some advise? WOuld it be unfair to aks them to completely redo both items (which they probably have to do given they got the pockets wrong?) Many thanks for advice.

A. You are going to get a lot of "why did you go to Kiton when, for the same or less money you could have gotten a real tailor from Napoli like Solito or Rubinacci" (In this case I totally agree is the appeal of the Kitons/Borelli to me is to go in the shop, try something on, and come out with the product. Once you have to go MTM due to fit, you should just go bespoke at those prices.

B. Yes, they should remake the garments.

 

[ziggysnorkel]

Ask them to redo both. You're not satisified and it's not what you asked them to make you. I was told by retailers when I considered various MTM programs that they sometimes mess up. When they do, the retailer usually makes sure that they get it right.

 

[TheFoo]

Fit is a more subjective issue, although you should still be entitled to reasonable results. On the other hand, features that categorially diverge from what you asked for and can't be perfectly corrected are real, undeniable mistakes; you should get a full refund or remake.

 

[aportnoy]

It's amazing how many of these stories we hear and even more amazing that the retailers don't present the garments with the caveat that they are not made to the requested specifications and we will, of course, have them remade if that is what you want.

Here's the right way to do it...

I purchased a Phineas suit at Paul Stuart and upon picking it up after alterations, they pointed out a small, but perceptible defect in the cloth near one of the cuffs. They refused to let me leave the store with the garment and after confirming that there was no more cloth available, they pulled another suit in the same cloth off the floor, removed the sleeve and replaced the entire sleeve on my jacket in one day. No fussing or trying to get to accept inferior goods, they just did the right thing.

That type of service should be the norm. And you should tell the shop get it right or keep it and don't expect to see me in here again.

 

[EuropeanInterloper Redux]

I have to admit that they do go to almost absurd lengths at Phineas Cole to make sure that you're happy...
.. But they've also done some of the laziest, ugliest, and frankly poor-quality basic alterations work that I've ever seen. I took a post-alteration PC suit down to Dynasty Tailors and Joe was shocked without my even telling him what happened.

Originally Posted by aportnoy

It's amazing how many of these stories we hear and even more amazing that the retailers don't present the garments with the caveat that they are not made to the requested specifications and we will, of course, have them remade if that is what you want.

Here's the right way to do it...

I purchased a Phineas suit at Paul Stuart and upon picking it up after alterations, they pointed out a small, but perceptible defect in the cloth near one of the cuffs. They refused to let me leave the store with the garment and after confirming that there was no more cloth available, they pulled another suit in the same cloth off the floor, removed the sleeve and replaced the entire sleeve on my jacket in one day. No fussing or trying to get to accept inferior goods, they just did the right thing.

That type of service should be the norm. And you should tell the shop get it right or keep it and don't expect to see me in here again.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Kiton MTM can be pretty sketchy.

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

... features that categorially diverge from what you asked for and can't be perfectly corrected are real, undeniable mistakes; you should get a full refund or remake.

+1

If the differences are not pleasing to you (and just rarely, happy mistakes can occur), then if it's not what you ordered, you shouldn't have to pay.

In the UK, where it sounds like the op is, this actually falls under the Trades Description Act and I believe you have a solid legal right to get what you paid for.

 

[JayJay]

aportnoy's experience is definitely the way service should be, but unfortunately this level is rare. Nonetheless, you should demand that the garment is to your satisfaction or have your money refunded.

 

[zjpj83]

I have had the same experiences with MTM (asked for double vent and got single, etc.) I don't get what is wrong with people and why they are unable to execute simple instructions.

 

[Naturlaut II]

Not to disappoint you, but even the ensuing alterations with Kiton custom shop can be tricky, as was my past experiences.

A lot of us started our sartorial experiences with brands like Kiton and Brioni, I was no exception. However, even if I had known Solito then, I don't think I would have gotten a better product because my knowledge of fit and style just wasn't there. Whatever my experiences were, they were educational.

The problem with these MTM programs is that there are way too many middleman involved. The problem is not Kiton, as it is a factory and it merely produces what the order on paper asks for. I have visited the factory before, and the setup is pretty tight (production, supervision, quality control, etc.). In some department (such as the shoe department) it is so small that the person in charge has only a few others underneath him so he is constantly on top of things. If I were to venture a guess, it is the Kiton custom shop at the department store that had everything screwed up. If you asked for an alteration, it will most certainly be done at the department store. If you asked for a redo, it might get re-made at the Kiton factory.

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by Naturlaut II

Not to disappoint you, but even the ensuing alterations with Kiton custom shop can be tricky, as was my past experiences.

A lot of us started our sartorial experiences with brands like Kiton and Brioni, I was no exception. However, even if I had known Solito then, I don't think I would have gotten a better product because my knowledge of fit and style just wasn't there. Whatever my experiences were, they were educational.

The problem with these MTM programs is that there are way too many middleman involved. The problem is not Kiton, as it is a factory and it merely produces what the order on paper asks for. I have visited the factory before, and the setup is pretty tight (production, supervision, quality control, etc.). In some department (such as the shoe department) it is so small that the person in charge has only a few others underneath him so he is constantly on top of things. If I were to venture a guess, it is the Kiton custom shop at the department store that had everything screwed up. If you asked for an alteration, it will most certainly be done at the department store. If you asked for a redo, it might get re-made at the Kiton factory.
EXACTLY. Too many middlemen. That really encapsulates the problem with MTM.

 

[Artisan Fan]

I guess I have been lucky. I've had great success with Kiton MTM. Antonio Matteis took my measurements on the first suit and they have held since except for sizing in the waist. I have a slightly sloping shoulder and they get it perfect.

I think it depends on who you work with. Working with Kiton reps from Italy during trunk show season seems to be best practice.

 

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

I guess I have been lucky. I've had great success with Kiton MTM. Antonio Matteis took my measurements on the first suit and they have held since except for sizing in the waist. I have a slightly sloping shoulder and they get it perfect. I think it depends on who you work with. Working with Kiton reps from Italy during trunk show season seems to be best practice.
You said you would talk to Massimo about the Kiton honesty issues revealed here at StyleForum, and that you would get back to us. Did you ever accomplish that?

 

[TheFoo]

Every bespoke/MTM maker is capable of mistakes like the OP has experienced, no matter the number of middle men. What really matters is how the mistakes are resolved.