Bad is the New Good: Pitti Bimbo 86

January 18-20: PITTI BIMBO 86. Fortezza da Basso and other venues. 

Even the most disciplined kids misbehave once in a while – that’s part of their charm, as every adult knows. The renowned photographer Oliviero Toscani catches this occasional naughtiness in a show titled “Non fate i bravi. Le bambine e i bambini Benetton di Oliviero Toscani” (Don’t be Good: Benetton Girls and Boys) showcased during the 86th edition of Pitti Bimbo from January 18 – 20.  Images from the ‘80s up to his latest campaign for the Benetton Kids Spring/Summer 2018 collection will be printed, attached onto a three-meter (10 ft.) wide reel and displayed among the columns of the Palazzo Strozzi courtyard (inauguration on January 19 at 7 pm).

This is one event of several events open to the public during a trade fair designed for buyers, press and fashion insiders.  Based at the Fortezza da Basso, Pitti Bimbo offers a complete picture of every possible aspect of children’s styles since 1975 in a packed calendar of events, presentations and catwalk shows. It will be followed by Pitti Filati 82, another key trade fair, featuring yarns for the knitting industry aimed towards sustainability from January 24 – 26.

At Pitti Bimbo, 538 international brands will present their pre-adult items for autumn-winter 2018/2019 throughout the 10 sections of the exhibition area. Participants at this edition include big names such as Little Marc Jacobs, John Richmond Jr. with his distinctive Londoners line, the iconic outerwear of Colmar Originals and a new entry, Timberland from the U.S.A.

Among the special happenings: the Fortezza da Basso will be illuminated at night, including video mapping, for the very first time.  On Thursday, January 18 (7:30 pm) the Italian brand Monnalisa is celebrating its important fiftieth anniversary including a runway show.

Thanks to the creative direction of lifestyler Sergio Colantuoni, the cinema theme has transformed the ancient fort into a huge film festival during all the Pitti Immagine winter fashion fairs.  At Pitti Bimbo, illustrators who exhibited at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair created film posters portraying various sections and different styles to direct visitors. The fair also contributed The Extraordinary Library 2, a selection of 100 illustrated books for kids dedicated to entertainment in all its forms accessible to guests in the main pavilion.

Not to be missed is #Activelab, a new section that features a selection of global labels distinguished by experimental designs in sportswear, street and activewear.  Fashion Comics, a project by Italian designer Alessandro Enriquez in collaboration with the television channel Cartoon Network. It involves up-and-coming designers who try their hand at a kid’s collection for the first time.  This edition features a series of mini-me capsule collections consisting of three garments for mom and three for her little girl starring The Powerpuff Girls, miniature superheroines with special powers.

Another must-see is Pirouette’s One to Watch Award ceremony, created by Pirouette childrenswear blog to spotlight emerging designers and new brands. Two winners that stand out for their creativity, attention to detail and design, will be chosen by the new talents in two sections: KidzFizz and by the independent brands of The Nest on Thursday, January 18.

For the first time Pitti Bimbo offers Nice Licensing, a special project in collaboration with the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. It will feature 22 interesting licenses mainly linked to cartoons and kids’ entertainment, featuring names such as Victoria Licensing & Marketing with Barbie and Hot Wheels, Pokémon Company Ltd, Global Brands Group with The Smurfs, The Simpsons and Keith Haring.

The kids’ zest for life is celebrated by a feature length film presented at the fair by German director, Achim Lippoth, producer and publisher of kid’s wear Magazine, who reinterprets the concept of a fashion show for children in the most authentic and natural way possible.

Simonetta will unveil “Quanti palloncini ci vogliono per far volare un sogno?” (How many balloons does it take to make a dream fly?) in a special installation at the Limonaia in the near Villa Vittoria to be unveiled on Thursday, January 18 from 5 to 7 pm.

On the January 19 between 9 and 11 am the historic palazzo Pucci will host “Breakfast at Palazzo” for the presentation of the AW18/19 Junior collection by Emilio Pucci.

The Paul & Paula blog will be narrating this edition of Pitti Bimbo through the eyes of the founder Peggy Juche, a German resident living in Sweden and mother of four, in a special web diary on the pittimmagine.com website with all most interesting news about the event.

Editor Katie Kendrick and photographer Molly Magnuson are creating a “behind the scenes” Pitti Bimbo 86 documentary, offering interviews, backstage access and fashion shows on the Pirouette blog.

Use the hashtags #pirouettelife #pirouetteblog #live #pb86 #pittibimbo #pittilivemovie to connect to all the events of Pitti Bimbo 86 or check the full program of Pitti Immagine fairs at www.pittimmagine.com. (celeste giampietro collins)