Pitti Immagine Uomo is the event that opens the European and international fashion fair season every year. It is the event that presents the galaxy of contemporary men’s fashions in all its shapes and forms.
Research, design and quality are the guidelines of a global project that involves the whole city of Florence in an unusual and creative way. It’s like a mosaic with new tiles being added season after season: major events outside of the main venue like PITTI IMMAGINE ROOMS and WELCOME (the new, streetwear section at the Stazione Leopolda), and the special programs such as NEW BEAT(S) inside the Fortezza da Basso, and the exclusive appearances by the designers who are the protagonists of the events produced by the Fondazione Pitti Discovery.
And the result: an all-round event distinguished by the dynamic visual and completeness of the offer. Here exhibitors find the ideal dimension for showing their collections and for experimenting new concepts. The fair’s new image aims at conveying all this and more: like a city in a city, a place for creating trends and business.
The figures
27,935 buyers attended the last winter edition, (+ 7%)
9,792 (35% of the total) of whom came from abroad, (+ 9%)
18,143 Italians, (+ 6%)
the main foreign markets: Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Spain, Holland, France, United States main growing foreign markets: China (+ 59%), Russia (+ 35%)
The exhibitors
651 firms
752 brands
261 (34.7% of the total) are from abroad
The new names
The new names and “comebacks” include: Acqua di Parma, Alain Mikli, Anthony Peto, Bil’s, Bishu Bou, C.C.C, Faliero Sarti, Hardcore Session, Jauge Sept., Misa Harada, Momaboma, Moschino, R.E.D.
Valentino Uomo, Rosasen, Seiji Kuroki Paris, Thirtyfive, Token, Tretorn, Valsport, Z Zegna.
SPECIAL PROJECTS that will make their debut at this edition of Pitti Immagine include: Alexander McQueen Puma (worldwide exclusive premiere) ck Calvin Klein, Luna Rossa.
The sections
Pitti Immagine Uomo explores the multiple references and styles that make up contemporary men’s fashions. The fair is organized into 10 sections which are linked to the three macro-areas of Classic, Informal and Avant-garde.
The Special Projects
New Beat(s)
A separate island in the midst of the huge Fortezza.
A vibrant source of new talents. This is New Beat(s), the special area that Pitti Uomo devotes to debuts, to absolute firsts. The setting-installation for this, the fifth edition, will transform the rooms of the Lyceum into the natural habitat for 14 collections that dare to be different in informal and urban-wear looks: a catalyst of powerful concepts and new forms of expression. The names include: Coexist, Designers Against Aids, Oddities, Rifiuto Speciale.
Pitti Immagine Rooms
Pitti Immagine Rooms n.
3 will be at the Harold Acton Library and its matrix concept will be respecting and protecting culture. This Pitti Immagine production presents the most conceptual interpretation of contemporary luxury design through a super-select group of collections in a most exclusive venue. A dreamlike-video itinerary winds among ancient volumes and shelves symbolically protected by cellophane, with clips from the great cult films. The settings are designed by Sergio Colantuoni, one of Italy’s most eclectic fashion designers.
(see enclosed press release).
WELCOME to my house
This is the new exhibition-product dedicated to the world of street culture. It’s called WELCOME: an exhibit-event that will show how vital and proactive this culture, born on the streets, really is as a source of inspiration for art, music and fashion. The Stazione Leopolda is the ideal platform for telling this story that keeps on evolving, a story whose main characters are the brands which spring directly from this culture.
The agenda is filled with events related to action sports, art and underground music. (see enclosed press release).
The events of Pitti Immagine Uomo
The Fondazione Pitti Discovery opens the season with Rick Owens
The Fondazione Pitti Discovery presents Rick Owens: “DUST” is what I call the warm soft grey color of gently slipping into unconsciousness. This three-part event will take place on Wednesday, 11 January at the Stazione Leopolda: DUSTULATOR, the fashion show of his first men’s collection for the 2006 fall-winter season (Hangar Area), and the installations entitled DUSTDAM and DUSTPUMP (the latter will be featured in the Alcatraz Area).
(see enclosed press release).
The Rick Owens label will also be at the Fortezza da Basso with an impressive stand.
The global project by the Maison Martin Margiela
The Maison Martin Margiela will be a special guest of the 69th edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo. As always the firm’s mode of conveying its world is consistent with its roots and passions. For the first time, a game, a fair within the fair, all over the Fortezza da Basso and all in white to inject moments of tranquility during the hectic days of the show (See enclosed press release).
Maison Martin Margiela at Pitti Immagine Uomo will be celebrated at the Teatro Puccini on the evening of Thursday 12 January.
Calvin Klein Jeans
at the Teatro Goldoni
Pitti Immagine Uomo is also participating in the event organized by Calvin Klein Jeans. The evening of Friday, 13 January Calvin Klein will produce a major event at the Teatro Goldoni: an exclusive party featuring a live performance from an important international talent and a unique product presentation.
At the Fortezza…
Among the many items on the agenda, at the Fortezza da Basso during Pitti Immagine Uomo, are the events for the press and members of the trade organized by Classico Italia (Friday, 13 January) and Zanellato (all the days).
And then, on Wednesday, 11 January, Acqua di Parma will present the new and prestigious “Collezione Barbiere” with an event that combines Italian tradition and elegance (at the stand).
…and around the town
Throughout the days of Pitti Uomo, the whole city of Florence will be the venue for fashion shows, presentations, parties and other special programs making it a true container for creativity. And here are just a few of the events on the calendar for the next edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo:
- the big party organized by the British Consulate General at Palazzo Corsini (Lungarno Corsini) on the evening of Friday, 13 January.
It will be a totally “british style” event encompassing contemporary art, music and fashion promoting the British Menswear Guild and other brands from Britain participating in Pitti Uomo;
- Thursday, 12 January, 7:00 p.m.: the Messagerie fashion show presenting the new men’s collection, in the throne room of Palazzo Corsini on Lungarno Corsini.;
- Thursday evening, 12 January, at Teatro della Pergola the lifestyle magazine Monsieur will celebrate the myth of male elegance as seen on its covers, with the international exhibition “MONSIEUR: l’eleganza del vivere.”
- Friday, 13 January: the “L’Altro Uomo Party” at Tenax – the event that picks the leaders in international dance for each edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo and brings them to Florence just for this occasion.
