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Pitti Uomo returns to Florence for its 102nd edition
After two years of many ups and downs, between postponements, cancellations, and virtual or limited formats, Pitti Uomo is returning to its usual physical event format and traditional four-day program. For its 102nd edition, dedicated to the 2023 Spring/Summer collections, the reference trade fair for men's fashion is expecting 682 exhibitors, 280 of them from abroad, and 15,000 visitors to attend from June 14 to 17 in Florence.
Although these figures are no match from the ones recorded before the pandemic, when the event attracted up to 1,200 brands, participation has improved significantly compared to previous editions (584 exhibitors in January and 338 in June 2021). Moreover, this 102nd edition is arriving with renewed vigor. As the event’s directors said: "We feel a great longing among our exhibitors to return to Pitti even stronger.”
With the evocative theme 'Pitti_Island', Pitti Immagine is transforming the fair into a sunny and summery island. The fair is promising a rich and stimulating program to travelers who will stop in Florence in the coming days, starting with Wales Bonner’s show to be held on June 14 at the Riccardi Medici Palace, who will participate in the event as a guest of honor. The British designer of Jamaican origin, Grace Wales Bonner focuses, in particular, on the richness and diversity of Black culture in her work and will unveil her collection for the coming summer in Florence.
On Wednesday, June 15, Ann Demeulemeester, who had to cancel her event in January due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will also return as guest of honor. Her brand, acquired in 2021 by Milanese entrepreneur Claudio Antonioli, is in the midst of a revival. To mark this occasion, the founder will shed light on the brand’s history with a special installation featuring a selection of her most beautiful archival pieces.
That same day, the Sapio brand, founded by former Rick Owens veteran Giulio Sapio, and Soulland will also share the spotlight. The Danish label, founded by creative director Silas Oda Adler and CEO Jacob Kampp Berliner, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. At its runway show in Florence’s open-air amphitheater Caveau, the brand will unveil a capsule collection created in collaboration with Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning.
Pitti Uomo has also decided to support a dozen Ukrainian creatives during this 102nd edition, in response to the war that broke out in their country on February 24. A specific area will be dedicated to them in the Fortezza da Basso, where the event will take place. The seven designers are T. Mosca, Katerina Kvit, The Coat, Poustovit, Ksenia Schneider, Bobkova and Litkovska, and the two craftsmen Olk Manufacture and Gunia Project.
Incidentally, many regulars are once again taking part in the event, including well-known brands such as Brunello Cucinelli and Stefano Ricci, but the program also includes about a hundred new brands, especially smaller and niche brands, as well as increasingly more lifestyle brands offering items not necessarily related to fashion, such as electric bikes by Danish brand Mate and pieces from eco-friendly furniture label Situér Milano.
"The event is expanding into the lifestyle sector, as more and more companies are showing interest in participating in our menswear fair," said Antonio Cristaudo, head of sales and business development at Pitti Immagine.
Other highlights include the 40th anniversary of WP Lavori In Corso, Antony Morato's 15th anniversary, Fila's return, the immersive Gore-Tex exhibition, and the 70th anniversary of premium jeans label Roy Rogers. The latter will unveil a film by American photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber at an evening event at Palazzo Vecchio on June 14.
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