The History of MKimonos
I am Luciana Machado Simon, the owner of MKimonos. I would like to take some time to share the history of my family and its kimono company.
I have been involved with Jiu-Jitsu since I was seven years old. It started when my six year old brother, Marcelo Machado, began studying with Francisco Mansur, a black belt under Helio Gracie. After a few years of training with Mansur, Marcelo began training under Royler Gracie. In 1995, after nearly eighteen years of training, Royler awarded Marcelo his black belt.
It was at this time that Marcelo approached me about starting a gi production company. The two of us opened a small factory in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. The site was very close to Marcelo's academy, Gracie Tijuca. Marcelo and I, with no previous experience manufacturing gi's, began selling to Marcelo's Gracie Tijuca students and Royler's Gracie Humaita students. With Marcelo's and my experience combined with the feedback of the students, our company began producing top qualtiy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uniforms. Our kimono logo is an "M" in the shape of a double axe blade, because Machado means axe in Portuguese.
One of our first gi designs was the Summer Weave. This kimono was made of a non-twisted fabric similar in feel to gi pants. This gi became quite popular in Brazil during the summer months where the temperatures in Rio can reach over 100F (38C). While remaining light and breathable the Summer Weave provided substantial strength. This weave was so popular that 6-Time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Saulo Ribeiro competed wearing our Summer Weave.
In 1997, our Uncle Aristides retired from working at an airplane factory. He expressed interest in our company and he came on as our third partner. The factory was then moved to Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro, in order to be closer to Uncle Aristides' home.
Marcelo, at that time, was very busy, so my uncle and I split up the work. Aristides was in charge of supervising production and I took care of sales and marketing. Back in 1997, our only clients were primarily Gracie Tijuca and Gracie Humaita students. I expanded our area of influence and made all jiu-jitsu fighters our clients. Our gi's began appearing in large numbers on the mats of Carlson Gracie Team, Dojo Academy, and Nova Uniao. In no time, the greatest fighters in the world were wearing our distinctive "M" on their sleeves. In the following months, we began producing a wide range of apparel and accessories, including: Vale Tudo shorts, T-shirts, belts, and bags.
We continued to be a pioneer in the competitive gi market by introducing Gold Weave fabric, which has now become the industry standard. Aristides, Marcelo, and I then went on to diligently experiment with different colors, cuts, weaves, and stitching. The end product of this relentless development effort can be seen with MKimonos continuing dominance in the market today.
Royler Gracie, 7-Time World Champion, became so impressed with our company, that he requested that a special, custom made, limited run gi be made. This was the start of the very successful Gracie Brothers product line. Their products can be found at GracieBrothers.com. Also at this time, after a very competitive bidding process, we were awarded a contract to be one of the manufacturers of the Bad Boy line of gi's. Bad Boy is one of the largest sporting goods companies in Brazil.
Soon after, fighters from Gracie Barra and Alliance began coming to the factory to buy the latest gi's. World Champion Leka Vieira came to us to design a female-cut gi. These feminino gi's became quite popular with the women of Alliance. In mid 2000, members of the newly created Brazilan Top Team started coming to our factory.
In late 2000, Uncle Aristides sold his share to a Brazilian entrepreneur. With our new partner, my brother and I continued to aggressively improve our products. The old factory was shut down and the whole company moved to a new, larger space in Sao Cristovao, Rio de Janeiro.
Marcelo supervised design and production at the factory, while I came to the US to provide all Americans with my family's high quality kimonos. Marcelo worked at finding what he felt were the best fabrics. He completely redesigned our pants to be more durable. My brother also began working on a new fabric, a hybrid weave. This revolutionary material fell in between traditional single and double weaves, while only weighing as much as a Gold Weave gi. This weave has become extremely popular throughout the world with students who want the strength and durability of the double weave, without the additional weight and bulkiness.
Early in 2001, while living in the US, I started an additional brand to acknowledge the Americans’ influence on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This brand known as Lutador Americano (American Fighter) is also available on our website. Lutador Americano products have developed a strong following in the US and surprisingly abroad.
In the fall of 2001, Marcelo began work on a custom gi for the University of Gama Filho Judo Team. The Gama Filho team consistently proves itself to be one of the best Judo teams in the world. The Judokas wanted to create a high quality gi, legal for International Judo Competition. Now, over 600 Gama Filho Team Members wear our gi.
In 2005, I assumed complete control of the brand globally, running operations from my home in the US. I continue to work daily with my employees at the factory in Brazil. I utilize MKimonos.com, in order to provide all my customers with reliable, quick, easy, and consistent one-stop-shopping for all their grappling needs.
Sincerely,
Luciana Machado Simon
I have been involved with Jiu-Jitsu since I was seven years old. It started when my six year old brother, Marcelo Machado, began studying with Francisco Mansur, a black belt under Helio Gracie. After a few years of training with Mansur, Marcelo began training under Royler Gracie. In 1995, after nearly eighteen years of training, Royler awarded Marcelo his black belt.
It was at this time that Marcelo approached me about starting a gi production company. The two of us opened a small factory in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. The site was very close to Marcelo's academy, Gracie Tijuca. Marcelo and I, with no previous experience manufacturing gi's, began selling to Marcelo's Gracie Tijuca students and Royler's Gracie Humaita students. With Marcelo's and my experience combined with the feedback of the students, our company began producing top qualtiy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uniforms. Our kimono logo is an "M" in the shape of a double axe blade, because Machado means axe in Portuguese.
One of our first gi designs was the Summer Weave. This kimono was made of a non-twisted fabric similar in feel to gi pants. This gi became quite popular in Brazil during the summer months where the temperatures in Rio can reach over 100F (38C). While remaining light and breathable the Summer Weave provided substantial strength. This weave was so popular that 6-Time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Saulo Ribeiro competed wearing our Summer Weave.
In 1997, our Uncle Aristides retired from working at an airplane factory. He expressed interest in our company and he came on as our third partner. The factory was then moved to Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro, in order to be closer to Uncle Aristides' home.
Marcelo, at that time, was very busy, so my uncle and I split up the work. Aristides was in charge of supervising production and I took care of sales and marketing. Back in 1997, our only clients were primarily Gracie Tijuca and Gracie Humaita students. I expanded our area of influence and made all jiu-jitsu fighters our clients. Our gi's began appearing in large numbers on the mats of Carlson Gracie Team, Dojo Academy, and Nova Uniao. In no time, the greatest fighters in the world were wearing our distinctive "M" on their sleeves. In the following months, we began producing a wide range of apparel and accessories, including: Vale Tudo shorts, T-shirts, belts, and bags.
We continued to be a pioneer in the competitive gi market by introducing Gold Weave fabric, which has now become the industry standard. Aristides, Marcelo, and I then went on to diligently experiment with different colors, cuts, weaves, and stitching. The end product of this relentless development effort can be seen with MKimonos continuing dominance in the market today.
Royler Gracie, 7-Time World Champion, became so impressed with our company, that he requested that a special, custom made, limited run gi be made. This was the start of the very successful Gracie Brothers product line. Their products can be found at GracieBrothers.com. Also at this time, after a very competitive bidding process, we were awarded a contract to be one of the manufacturers of the Bad Boy line of gi's. Bad Boy is one of the largest sporting goods companies in Brazil.
Soon after, fighters from Gracie Barra and Alliance began coming to the factory to buy the latest gi's. World Champion Leka Vieira came to us to design a female-cut gi. These feminino gi's became quite popular with the women of Alliance. In mid 2000, members of the newly created Brazilan Top Team started coming to our factory.
In late 2000, Uncle Aristides sold his share to a Brazilian entrepreneur. With our new partner, my brother and I continued to aggressively improve our products. The old factory was shut down and the whole company moved to a new, larger space in Sao Cristovao, Rio de Janeiro.
Marcelo supervised design and production at the factory, while I came to the US to provide all Americans with my family's high quality kimonos. Marcelo worked at finding what he felt were the best fabrics. He completely redesigned our pants to be more durable. My brother also began working on a new fabric, a hybrid weave. This revolutionary material fell in between traditional single and double weaves, while only weighing as much as a Gold Weave gi. This weave has become extremely popular throughout the world with students who want the strength and durability of the double weave, without the additional weight and bulkiness.
Early in 2001, while living in the US, I started an additional brand to acknowledge the Americans’ influence on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This brand known as Lutador Americano (American Fighter) is also available on our website. Lutador Americano products have developed a strong following in the US and surprisingly abroad.
In the fall of 2001, Marcelo began work on a custom gi for the University of Gama Filho Judo Team. The Gama Filho team consistently proves itself to be one of the best Judo teams in the world. The Judokas wanted to create a high quality gi, legal for International Judo Competition. Now, over 600 Gama Filho Team Members wear our gi.
In 2005, I assumed complete control of the brand globally, running operations from my home in the US. I continue to work daily with my employees at the factory in Brazil. I utilize MKimonos.com, in order to provide all my customers with reliable, quick, easy, and consistent one-stop-shopping for all their grappling needs.
Sincerely,
Luciana Machado Simon
