The Colors of ‘Pitti Bimbo 87’ Fashion for Kids

There is no doubt that children paint using all the colors of the rainbow; even when they draw with just a black pencil on a white sheet, the range of patterns and motifs that they create is often astonishing.  The upcoming Pitti Bimbo is fittingly dedicated to P.O.P., PITTI OPTICAL POWER, the kaleidoscopic theme of the summer edition of the Pitti Immagine fairs, conceived by lifestyler Sergio Colantuoni that perfectly expresses a child’s colorful imagination.

Running in Florence from June 21 -23, Pitti Bimbo 87 is the main event for exploring the latest trends and luxury in both fashion and lifestyle for kids from infants to age 12.  Original projects, presentations and runway shows will unveil collections for Spring/Summer 2019.

Season after season fashion for kids is growing in the international markets, promoted by the daily use of social networks, especially Instagram.  At this edition 553 brands, 345 from outside Italy, are arriving at the former military structure of Fortezza da Basso, the principal venue of the Pitti fairs.  Among the anticipated brands which will showcase their vision throughout the 10 sections of the are Alberta Ferretti and Paciotti 4Us from Italy, the Belgian Bikkembergs, the Spanish Custo Barcelona, and for the very first time, Philosophy by Lorenzo Serafini.

Several mini fashion shows will be hosted at Sala della Ronda including Children’s Fashion from Spain (June 21, 12 noon), a collective of Spanish brands, and at 2:30 pm Stefania’s kidswear (same day at 2:30 pm). There will be at 11 am, June 22 the experimentations of KidzFIZZ and at 2 pm the luxury tailoring of Apartment.

Two designers from the emerging talents of KidzFizz and The Nest will be spotlighted as the recipients of the Pirouette’s One to Watch Award on Thursday, June 21 at 4 pm. The award is overseen by Florence Rolando, founder of Pirouette Blog, a cult in the world for kids that unites business dynamics with the consumers’ point of view, and Katie Kendrick, Editor in Chief.

This edition of Pitti Bimbo will offer two special events in the realm of magazines dedicated to children’s lifestyles. “Style Piccoli” celebrates its 10 years of its founding with an exhibition of iconic photos (June 21, 12:30 – 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm).  Sharing the same anniversary, “Elle Kids” commemorates the occasion with a special format where kids are the protagonists in a round of interviews, observations and thoughts on fashion.  Pitti Bimbo 87 will also mark the premiere of “Urban Kids,” the first free press publication dedicated to the world of children that will be distributed in six points inside the Fortezza da Basso and another 350 places around the city.

Monnalisa will be holding a vintage garden party themed “The Fabulous Fifties” to display its S/S 2019 bloom-filled collection in the Torrigiani Gardens at 7 pm on Thursday, June 21.

The same day, from 6 to 10 pm Guess kids will celebrate the launch of the capsule collection Guess x “Be Miraculous” Ladybug in the Florence storewith an exclusive live performance by Gaia Gozzi, the voice of the Italian soundtrack from the animated series “Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir.”

The striking location of Società Canottieri Firenze on the Arno river is the setting for the“Petit Bateau dejeuner sur l’herbe,” a garden party with cocktails and music (June 21, 5 – 8 pm).

Among the most anticipated events in Florence, Emilio Pucci in partnership with Italian childrenswear company Simonetta, will present its S/S 2019 Junior Collection, a line for girls up to 14 years of age.  After the debut in June 2017, the vibrant patterns that made Emilio Pucci’s couture internationally acclaimed will be on show in the stunning ambience of the Renaissance Palazzo Pucci in a special appointment that resonates with this edition’s P.O.P optical theme (Breakfast at Palazzo Pucci, June 22, 9 – 11 am).

A new initiative is the Polimoda Junior Summer Camp that will take place in Florence from July 2 – 6 at the Polimoda headquarters of Villa Favard in the center of Florence.  Proceeds will be donated to support the Meyer Foundation, a sustainer and fundraiser for Florence Children’s Hospital.  It is an educational project, the product of the collaboration between Pitti Immagine and the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo.  It will include lectures and workshops about fashion for kids from 8 to 12 years old.

Check out the complete program at www.pittimmagine.com. (celeste giampietro collins)