Pierre Mantoux

Italian brand of women’s hosiery. An importer of German hosiery, Ottorino Giangrossi founded the Milanese hosiery production company Ilcat (Industria Lombarda Calze a Telaio) in 1932 in partnership with his sister-in-law. His son Remo took over the running of the business with his wife Velia in the 1960s: they launched the Pierre Mantoux brand and passed from wholesale to retail distribution. With their 56 different shades in the 1970s, their polka-dot style in 1976, and their Scala-lace style in 1982, they conquered the international market (30% of sales) and won the attention of haute couture and ready-to-wear companies. In the 1990s the brand launched its first cashmere blend tights following two years of research. Velia Giangrossi has brought a totally female management structure to the company with her daughters Fulvia and Patrizia (respectively the managing director and general manager), and her granddaughters Chiara and Costanza.
&Quad;The Fall-Winter 2002-2003 collection was dominated by their Felce tights, with a big opaque leaf pattern against a black background, and their Tattoo tights with a tribal pattern.
&Quad;2003, June. They launched a range of swimwear designed by Patrizia Giangrossi and presented at the Moda Mare runway shows in Positano.
&Quad;For Winter 2003-2004 they presented the Mimesis tights, reminiscent of men’s tie designs, and the very sheer Lycra floral-patterned Flower Power tights.