Kitanica was founded by Beej Cronin, master sewer, designer and pattern maker. While working on an antique apple tree nursery in Point Arena, CA in the early '90s, Beej, a self-taught designer/pattern maker, who began working with textiles at the age of 14, started making jackets and clothing that could withstand the rigors of life on a farm. Beej and his brother Chris originally founded Kitanica in Brooklyn, NY in 1995 and moved the business to San Francisco, CA in 1997. The company name is derived from the word Chitin (prounced Kai•tin), which is the structural component of insect exoskeletons.
In 2001 Kitanica was shelved as Beej moved to pursue teaching and complete a masters degree in education. He has spent the past 8 years teaching math and science to at-risk youth in CA, with clothing design relegated to an occasional hobby. One customer, "Mythbusters" star Adam Savage, had purchased a heavy-duty jacket (MARK IV) and later, unbeknownst to Beej — who doesn't watch TV &mdash was wearing it on episodes of the show. Following this exposure people started to seek out "Adam's jacket" online. In 2007 a childhood friend of Beej's alerted him to the score of inquiries about Adam's jacket and what company made it.
With renewed interest in Kitanica products, Beej with brother Chris and their cousin Len Riccio are again producing high quality, heavy duty Kitanica gear.
Kitanica's goal is to make the most durable, best fitting garments from the best possible materials and construction practices to produce a unique, distinctive and utilitarian product.
Kitanica offers lifetime coverage against any craftsmanship or manufacturing defect for as long as you own your jacket.
Kitanica
PO Box 99095
Emeryville, CA 94662
Phone: 510-923-0503
Email: chris@kitanica.net
