What CISSA does

CISSA is a Los Angeles-based direct-to-consumer fashion brand founded in 2020 by designer Lisa Priolo, specializing in premium shirting built around a signature wrap-shirt construction. Each garment is engineered with adjustable inner-flap straps and contrast pink button guides that allow the same piece to be worn traditionally buttoned or wrapped for an asymmetrical silhouette. The brand's core technology is therefore a pattern-and-construction IP rather than a software platform, with the e-commerce layer (Shopify storefront with integrated payments via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Shop Pay) serving as standard DTC infrastructure rather than a differentiator.

The product line has expanded from the original 2020 men's wrap shirt into a full assortment of wrap shirts, wrap cardigans, sweater-shirts, overshirts, blouses, skirts, bralettes, and accessories. All garments are manufactured in Los Angeles using fabrics sourced from Italian mills including Albini Group (Thomas Mason collections, ELS Egyptian Cotton), Liberty of London (Tana Lawn), and premium cashmere blends. Pricing reflects this positioning: shirts range $288-$348, cardigans $278-$568 depending on material, and accessories $28-$73.

The business model is one-time purchase DTC e-commerce through wearcissa.com, supplemented by an undisclosed wholesale retail partner network accessed via a store locator. Revenue derives from full-price sales and periodic promotional events with 20-60% discounts; there is no subscription or recurring component. Distribution ships globally from a single Los Angeles warehouse, with US shipping at $15 standard / $35 express and international rates of $37-$50. Marketing operates through email and SMS signup funnels (10% first-order incentive), Instagram and Pinterest organic social, a brand journal blog, and paid search and retargeting on Google, Facebook, and Bing. The company is privately held, founder-controlled, and bootstrapped, with no disclosed institutional funding.

Name

CISSA

Legal name

WEARCISSA

Website

https://wearcissa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CISSA is a Los Angeles-based direct-to-consumer fashion brand that designs and sells signature wrap shirts, cardigans, and sweaters made locally from premium Italian-mill fabrics, serving style-conscious women seeking versatile, timeless shirting with an adjustable, dual-wear construction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Premium Shirting & Apparel

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (3152), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Women's, Misses', And Juniors Outerwear (2330), Knit Outerwear Mills (2253), Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320)

akta.pro primary industry

Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)

Keywords

• Women's shirting apparel
• Wrap shirt design
• Premium cotton clothing
• Direct-to-consumer fashion
• Made in Los Angeles

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: One-time purchase model for apparel items including shirts, cardigans, tops, sweaters, and accessories. No subscription or recurring revenue model. Products sold at full price and through periodic sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CISSA is a premium shirting and apparel brand that designs, manufactures, and sells wrap-style shirts, cardigans, sweaters, blouses, and accessories. Each garment is engineered with a signature wrap construction featuring adjustable inner-flap straps and contrast pink button guides, allowing the same piece to be worn traditionally or wrapped for a different silhouette. All products are manufactured in Los Angeles using fabrics sourced from Italian mills (Albini, Thomas Mason) and Liberty of London, woven from Extra Long Staple (ELS) Egyptian Cotton and cashmere blends.

Product overview

CISSA is a shirting brand centered on its signature wrap shirt concept, offering versatile clothing pieces that can be worn traditionally or wrapped for different silhouettes. The core product line includes wrap cardigans and wrap shirts available in various materials (cotton, cashmere blends, Egyptian cotton) and styles (stripes, solids). The brand's distinctive wrap technology allows the same garment to be styled multiple ways, using contrast pink buttons as wrapping guides. Supporting product lines include overshirts, blouses, bralettes, and accessories. CISSA collaborates with Liberty of London for fabric prints and partnered with Smythe for a wrap blazer collaboration. All pieces are proudly made in Los Angeles using fabrics sourced from prestigious mills including Albini Group and Liberty Fabrics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Wrap Cardigan
• The Shorty Shirt
• The Daily Shirt
• The Men's Shirt Sweater
• The MR.BIG Shirt
• The Overshirt
• The Rugby Cardigan Sweater
• The Fan Blouse
• The Collegiate Shirt
• The Tuxedo Shirt
• The Triangle Bralette
• The Hair / Wrist Tie
• CISSA x Smythe Collab Wrap Blazer
• The Backless Halter
• The Fitted
• The Bow Tie
• The Puff Shirt

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SMYTHEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISSA collaborated with Smythe to reimagine the signature wrap shirt concept as a tailored blazer. The CISSA x Smythe Collab Wrap Blazer features black wool construction lined with signature Italian Egyptian Cotton Pippen Stripe. Sold at $425 (reduced from $850) through CISSA's e-commerce platform.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform powering the online store. Handles payment processing, order management, inventory, and site analytics. Shopify's automated decision-making systems used for fraud prevention.
• Liberty of LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISSA produces a collection using Liberty of London's Tana Lawn fabric - a premium cotton known for its silk-like feel and fine quality. Featured in bralette and intimates products.
• Albini GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian mill supplying premium striped fabrics including Albini and Thomas Mason collections. Fabrics woven from Extra Long Staple (ELS) Egyptian Cotton from Albini's managed farms with full traceability.
• USPSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary shipping carrier for domestic and international order fulfillment. Orders require adult signature for delivery.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• Naadam: DTC cashmere brand emphasizing premium natural fibers with transparent sourcing — overlaps with CISSA's cashmere cardigans and premium materials positioning.

Direct peers

• Everlane: Premium DTC apparel brand built on transparency, ethical manufacturing, and quality basics — closely parallels CISSA's DTC premium positioning and made-in-USA/sourcing narrative.
• Smythe: Canadian tailored womenswear brand known for blazers and premium shirting; direct collaboration partner with CISSA, validating category and pricing overlap.
• Alex Mill: DTC shirting and casualwear brand with signature button-downs and premium fabrics; directly comparable product focus (signature shirting) and DTC distribution model.
• Cuyana: DTC womenswear and accessories brand focused on fewer-better philosophy and premium materials; similar consumer segment and direct-to-consumer premium pricing model.
• AYR (All Year Round): Premium DTC womenswear brand emphasizing versatile, seasonless essentials; comparable positioning in premium shirting, denim, and made-in-USA production.
• Reformation: Premium sustainable womenswear DTC brand with strong direct-to-consumer presence; comparable on made-in-LA positioning, premium pricing, and slow-fashion consumer targeting.

Broad incumbents

• Equipment: Heritage premium shirting brand known for silk blouses and button-downs; larger incumbent competing in the same premium shirting category CISSA targets.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/wearcissa
• Pinterestpinterest.com/WEARCISSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wear-cissa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CISSA