The Pitti Immagine Shows Are Back in Florence
The four days that officially kickstart the menswear calendar is not very far off. The summer edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo, number 104 will be held in the city of Florence from 13 to 16 June in Fortezza da Basso. The trade fair already has a count of 825 brands, over 40 per cent of which are from abroad, and a swarm of buyers from several continents.
Pitti Uomo’s common ground brings together brands, buyers, journalists, new collections and promises more this year. “The number of applicant companies has grown steadily compared to January”, said Pitti Immagine chief executive officer Raffaello Napoleone.
The fair’s schedule will boast innovations that were introduced at the January exhibit, the result of which is an praiseworthy experience within the Fortezza, including a plethora of unique solutions catering to the market’s needs and demands.
“The fashion sector has responded better to uncertainty compared to other industries over the past four years,” said Antonio De Matteis, CEO of menswear label Kiton and new President of Pitti Immagine, succeeding Claudio Marenzi. “Pitti Uomo is the only really international menswear fair in the world, many other trade shows are evolving and changing but Pitti remains the beacon together with Milan Fashion Week.”
“People are keen to meet again in Florence. This is what we perceived in the months when we were busy preparing this new edition of Pitti Uomo,” commented Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine. “In a year that is surely far from easy for the industry we represent, our event is increasingly attractive, and is chosen and recognised as the essential showcase where exhibitors can gain visibility and meet their international clients.”
The Theme
Pitti Games is the crux and theme of this summer exhibit: challenging, creative, energetic and committed.
“We have imagined Fortezza da Basso as a giant gaming table, where we can have fun, take risks, bet on ourselves and our strategies, consider our opponents and partners, step out of our comfort zones, and make a few daring moves. Acting like individualists as much as team players,” said Agostino Poletto, Managing Director of Pitti Immagine.
The Exhibitors
The fair’s companies will be split into five segments: Fantastic Classic, Futuro Maschile, Dynamic Attitude, Superstyling and I Go Out. Menswear will certainly be the crowning glory of it all, but will be teamed with lifestyle elements too – including as beachwear, camping and hiking accessories. This time, like the last, there will also be a sector dedicated solely to pets.
Highlights at Pitti
African-Thai designer Chu Suwannapha will unveil a special installation at the fair. The colourful schemes will paint Pitti in another tone altogether. This will be shown at the Sala delle Nazioni, and there will be a special presentation by the designer on 14 June 2023 at the same location. Suwannapha’s brand brings together heritage, technique and detailed motifs from batik to origami to embroidery. Presenting an androgynous aesthetic that’s futuristic in a way, Suwannapha’s creations of art are bold.
California-based designer Eli Russell Linnetz, and the founder of ERL label, will be the guest designer of Pitti Uomo 104. He Linnetz will present his Spring/Summer 2024 collection via a unique event that will be promoted by Fondazione Pitti Discovery on Thursday 15 June 2023. He will also showcase an exclusive project that portrays a comfortable blend between fashion, design and lifestyle.
Fendi will unveil its Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, coupled with an all-exclusive show in the recently inaugurated Fendi Factory located in the heart of Tuscany’s countryside in Capannuccia (Bagno a Ripoli).
The Debutants and Patrons
Pitti Uomo 104 will also offer a platform to time-time projects, patrons and collaborations.
Arena will celebrate half a century in business, and will debut in the lifestyle sector with The Woolmark Company. Fila will celebrate 50 years of its legendary F Box logo, and also exhibit an exclusive sportswear and outerwear collection. Besides that, Doucal’s will bring in its 50th birthday by unveiling an edition of the brand’s signature moccasin, dedicated to founder Mario Giannini. Japanese camp-gear equipment company Snow Peac will show in the I Go Out section in the outdoor space (of course).
Amongst the patrons are Drycorn, the contemporary fashion brand from Germany, and Giuseppe Zanotti, celebrating the 15th anniversary of its men’s footwear collections presenting a miscellany of sundowner shoes.
Two debuts one shouldn’t miss would be Liverano & Liverano Atelier, a bespoke sartor from Florence itself, and German contemporary tailoring label Carl Gross – these two shall display at the Sala delle Colonne. Other global collaborations also boasts the presence of Scandinavian Manifesto and J∞Quality from Japan.
Pitti Immagine Uomo
13 – 16 June 2023
Fortezza da Basso
Viale F. Strozzi 1
Opening Hours
All days 9am – 6pm | Last day 9pm-4pm
Contact
pittimmagine.com
