Cutting Edge Men’s Fashion at Pitti Uomo 103

January 10 – 13, 2023: PITTI IMMAGINE UOMO 103. Fortezza da Basso, V.le Filippo Strozzi, 1.  Open only to buyers and the press.  Open 9 am – 6 pm, on January 13, from 9 am – 4 pm. 

Florence will welcome back the leading men’s fashion exposition, Pitti Uomo, a winter trade fair that blends old and new elements. The 103rd edition presents the theme PITTIWAY to curate a creative space showcasing the best of upcoming men’s fashion through interactive exhibitions and immersive experiences. The Fortezza is scheduled to host 759 brands, with a 40% presence from abroad. 

Special guests for Pitti Uomo 103 include the talented Anglo-Jamaican designer Martine Rose and project designer Jan-Jan Van Essche. Rose is set to introduce her fall-winter 2023-24 collection on Thursday, January 12, and Belgian creative Van Essche will present his first show in Florence, an event scheduled for Wednesday, January 11.

Highlights of Pitti Uomo 103 include:

Sustainability, a prominent presence at the fair, will shine through ECOALF’s FW23 collection.  The designs are incredibly ecofriendly as pieces are easily recyclable, made up of 60% single-material fabrics, not contributing to environmentally harmful landfills.  Encourage shoppers to consume consciously, the slogan of their presentation is “Because there is no Planet B,” reminding the audience that we only have one earth: while damage is preventable, it is not reversible.

MACJEANS debuts at Pitti Uomo; based in Germany, the firm produces durable denim while promoting sustainable fashion.

RODD & GUNN NEW ZEALAND highlights pure wool in their new collection.

Protagonist brands appearing throughout the winter edition include Altea, Begg x Co, Gloverall, Edward Green, Heschung, Hestra, Hettabretz, Inis Meáin, Mey Story, Quartz Co., Rossignol, Tricker’s, WANT Les Essentiels, Yves Salomon.

Pitti Connect began during a time of virtual alternatives, returning for the technologically savvy, offering digital highlights during and after the event’s itinerary. Make sure to check out The Billboard for event programs. For more information on events and to access the Pitti Connect digital platform, please visit https://uomo.pittimmagine.com/.

Pitti Uomo welcomes back time-honored offerings as well as new sections that will display their menswear across different themes and showcases throughout the event. The itinerary includes familiar stops such as Fantastic Classic, Futuro Maschile, Dynamic Attitude, Scandinavian Manifesto, Superstyling and S/Style.  New to the scheduled program is the Sign and Pitti Pets.

Sustainability dominates the showcases at this winter’s event, encouraging brand participation from labels prioritizing our environment. Check out the itinerary below for eco-friendly projects and leading designers during Pitti Uomo. 

I GO OUT is back to the Fortezza for those passionate about the outdoors and nature-friendly fashion wear. Hosted at the Sala della Ronda, the exhibit includes designers who create outdoor-specific clothing, accessories, and lifestyle pieces. Environmentally conscious and creative describe I Go Out. 

FANTASTIC CLASSIC features classic menswear amongst prestigious brands and designers. 

FUTURO MASCHILE with its trend-setting ensembles and designs which define this category, mixing casual and contemporary menswear, is located this winter on the top floor of the Central Pavilion. 

DYNAMIC ATTITUDE appeals to street-savvy and sporty stylists. Are you tired of stiff fabrics hanging from the racks? The collectiond feature designers who choose comfort over couture and sporty over suffocating. 

SUPERSTYLING represents the world of experimental fashion, including non-gender-specific fabrics and cuts. Creative and inclusive, Superstyling represents the ever-changing aesthetics and innovative expressions of the fashion world. 

The Fondazione Pitti Discovery exhibition, S|STYLE unveils its sixth edition at Pitti Uomo, curated by fashion journalist Giorgia Cantarini. In close collaboration with the event sponsor, UniCredit, S|Style invites designers that follow eco-conscious branding decisions. The event will take place in the Sala delle Nazioni. 

Brands include Dhruv Kapoor, Isnurh, Junk, Kemkes, Margn, Maxime and Waste Yarn Project.

SCANDINAVIAN MANIFESTO is a showcase for the collections of established and up-and-coming designers from Denmark, Sweden and Norway

For a complete list of brands by category, visit  https://uomo.pittimmagine.com/.

New projects are also launching at this season’s Pitti Uomo, such as the SIGN and PITTI PETS. 

the SIGN, in partnership with communication agency Ghost Studio, displays lifestyle design at Pitti Uomo 103. The new project is located at the Sala delle Nazioni, hosted within the Superstyling section.

PITTI PETS brings special attention to our furry friends for the first time during Pitti Uomo! Adorable and loveable, our pets deserve a style of their own. Designed by Ilaria Marelli, the display will show off pet-friendly clothing, pet care, lifestyle, and household accessories at the Polveriera. 

Pitti Pet Designers comprise 2.8 Duepuntootto, Baurdelle, Frida Firenze, Genuina Pet Food, Lollipet, Manto, Mjo, Omniagioia, Paola Navone per 2.8 Duepuntootto, Pelo Foundation, Poldo Dog Couture, The Painter’s Wife.

After long days of browsing designer collections, if hunger strikes head to upper floor of the Central Pavilion.  There Filippo of Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi, Known for fine wine and an appetizing menu, is hosting a pop up offering the chef’s famous creations from 9 am – 6 pm to all those in attendance. 

Collaborating with Florence’s prestigious fashion institute, Polimoda, the third-year students will present an installation at this winter’s Pitti Uomo. By analyzing fashion from a Gen-Z perspective, the fashion students will focus on threads from the Historisches Museum in Frankfurt, connecting historical styles to present-day fashion.

Outside the walls of the Fortezza are numerous events in Florence’s city center involving Pitti Uomo. While most are invitation-only, some events allow the general public to attend. 

Fantastic Classic featured brand Manuel Ritz blends classic Italian menswear with street style. On January 11, 2023, department store Rinascente in Piazza della Repubblica invites shoppers to customize their Ritz varsity jackets from 5 – 9 pm. To check out the fabrics, visit https://www.manuelritz.com/noshop_en/. (gioia guarino)