New Trends for Kids at ‘Pitti Bimbo’ 85

The time when kids were dressed like dolls has evolved into an era where adults and the younger set wear matching outfits. It is a phenomenon that is gaining attention online and is comprehensively explored by Pitti Immagine Bimbo, an international fair dedicated to the new trends and the innovative brands in kids’ lifestyles at the Fortezza da Basso and other venues. This important fashion event for pre-adults offers a packed calendar of presentations for buyers, press and fashion insiders.

The event will showcase 538 brands and collections for Spring/Summer 2018 on display, mainly from abroad. Among them are Herno, La Martina, Stella Jean and regarding the world of footwear Giuseppe Junior (the children collection of Giuseppe Zanotti) and for the first time, Tommy Hilfiger.

Two icons of fashion dominate the calendar of Pitti Bimbo. Emilio Pucci, a brand synonymous with refinement and joyful colors, will debut a line for girls from infants to age 14 in partnership with Simonetta, an Italian childrenswear company founded in the 1950s. Roberto Cavalli relaunches Roberto Cavalli Junior, a line inspired by a sparkling world dominated by floral prints and animal graphics in its Baroque Leopard popup space at the Fortezza. On June 23 (10 am to 1 pm) the entire SS18 collection will be presented at an exclusive event held at the Serre Torrigiani, a botanical garden inside the city walls at Porta Romana.

Within the nine sections of the exhibition area, from the Fancy Room featuring gadgets and technology to the Nest with its small independent brands from all over the world and Apartment that promotes sartorial luxury collections for children’s fashions, visitors will be drawn to the new Pitti Bimbo Editorials. In its display of special objects and original accessories, Editorials focuses on two new themes: “Food Flair” and “Happy Camp.”

In keeping with “Boom, Pitti Blooms,” the theme of the Pitti Immagine summer editions exploring the creative force of the ideas that blossom like flowers, the Italian brand Inglesina has organized a special flower-flavored teatime with homemade ice cream offered by Florentine gelato shop Mordilatte (June 22, 2 – 4 pm).

Designer and fashion influencer Alessandro Enriquez is the author of two projects. The first one is Kid’s Evolution, with a selection of designers “for adults,” such as Bad Deal, Riccardo Comi and Little Shilpa, who will create a capsule collection inspired by SpongeBob Gold, a line inspired by the cartoon character. The other is Fashion Comics presenting several brands with their special capsule collections and a mini outfit starring the Care Bears, created in 1981 by American Greetings. Part of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to an Oxfam project.

The Pitti Bimbo catwalk shows are an important occasion for launching the season’s trends and offering valuable styling tips. The Fortezza’s Sala della Ronda is the setting for Children’s Fashion from Spain (June 22, 11am) and Fun & Fun and She.Ver (June 22, 2 pm), followed by Little Star and I Pinco Pallino on June 23 (11 am).

Around town, on June 22 Monnalisa presents its playful collection in a fashion show set in one of the most beautiful gardens in Florence at Palazzo Corsini (via il Prato 58, 7 pm), and the iconic French label Petit Bateau has organized Petit Bateau Club, a special event that highlights its S/S 2018 collection on the banks of Arno river at the magnificent Circolo Canottieri Firenze (near Ponte Vecchio), decorated with white and blue stripes on this occasion (2 – 8 pm).

Check out the full program of Pitti Bimbo 85 at www.pittimmagine.com. (celeste giampietro collins)