The fair attracts the biggest names in international menswear. Even though Pitti Uomo was created in 1972 primarily to showcase Italian tailoring to the international market – with designers like Giorgio Armani and Ermenegildo Zegna presenting their collections to buyers from all over the world – the scope of the fair is much broader today.
Liu Jo Uomo, Marc O’Polo, Save the Duck, Colmar, Filson are among the 500 stakeholders at this year’s event. Pitti is the only big trade fair that was not cancelled by the Omicron wave.
The fact that only about half of the exhibitors are there is being used as an opportunity: there is more space and many labels are getting creative.
Raffaele Napoleone has been CEO of Pitti Imagine since 1989, the non-profit organisation for the promotion of Italian fashion and organiser of the biggest international trade fairs for men, children and fabrics in Florence. A keen sailor and captain in his private life, he naturally wants to keep his ship on course during these turbulent times.
An ideas factory between pragmatism and entertainment.
The Alaskan feeling is conveyed – including a rustic log cabin and canoe at Filson. Sportswear label Ten C impresses with a stand that is more reminiscent of an art installation.
Lardini takes advantage of the atmosphere and seizes the opportunity for a live shoot.
Inspiration and excitement that kept visitors in suspense:
a live event with distance and masks, new perspectives, changing focuses and new essentials.
Plenty of conversations as well as open eyes and ears for something new: amazement and delight. Even behind the masks there were plenty of sparkling eyes to be seen. Covid can also be an opportunity.