The trendy, high-end brand, whose acronym hides the names of its four founders – Damiano, Alessandro, Tommaso and Emiliano – chose to celebrate its twentieth anniversary in the city where it all began, Florence, with an immersive event in the extraordinary setting of the Cattedrale dell’Immagine.
A symbolic place that blends the historicity of its architecture with the most advanced visual technology. It was here, on Monday 17 June, during Pitti Uomo 108, that DATE staged a multisensory experience capable of recounting – through images, sounds and suggestions – two decades of aesthetic research, authenticity and independent spirit.
The evening took the form of a narrative that went beyond the classic concept of an event. The immersive projections, created specifically for the occasion, interacted with the exhibition dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, a key figure in Tuscan culture and an icon of experimentation and genius. It was also a personal tribute, given the proximity between Empoli, where the brand’s headquarters are located, and Vinci, the artist’s birthplace.
The evening of 18 June, hosted by Fabiana Giacomotti in the gardens of the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence, brought together distinguished guests from the worlds of high fashion, luxury craftsmanship and institutions. The star of the event was the limited edition created in collaboration with Diego Dolcini: a masculine reinterpretation of the classic Opanka moccasin in natural shades that characterise the excellence of Tuscan leather. ‘I am particularly proud of this collaboration with Cuoio di Toscana,’ said Diego Dolcini during the event. ‘After creating the first special version of the Opanka sole with a stiletto heel in 1995, returning to work on this iconic model represents a full circle for me. The consortium’s craftsmanship and the quality of Tuscan leather have made it possible to create a shoe that combines tradition and innovation.’
The limited edition presented is a perfect example of how tradition and innovation can come together: the special Opanka technique, which makes the sole and upper a single piece that only a few Italian workshops can produce, is enhanced by a hidden tag that traces the various stages of the shoe’s production, a real sustainability passport with which Cuoio di Toscana certifies and guarantees its green values.
Castañer’s journey began with the iconic jute wedge, a collaboration with Yves Saint Laurent that revolutionised the fashion industry. Since then, it has never stopped, combining traditional craftsmanship with sustainable materials to create shoes that are as beautiful as they are timeless.
In particular, the Castañer Curated Edition embodies the essence of uniqueness: each piece, made with fine materials and shaped by expert hands, is the result of a careful selection, in which every detail reflects the precision and dedication of a craft refined over time. This line is characterised by the use of high-quality suede certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), a sustainable and luxurious material with a distinctive soft texture and matte finish.
The Ready-to-Wear line, on the other hand, represents the most avant-garde collection, bringing the latest trends to the Castañer universe. Each piece is uniquely designed and handmade with fine materials, combining contemporary style and craftsmanship.
‘If we look at the foreign data in more detail,’ says Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine, “it is interesting to note that the European total compensates for the fluctuations, in one direction or another, of individual countries, while the strongest positive momentum comes from outside Europe: the United States and China in the first place, followed by Japan and the other Southeast Asian economies. Also interesting are the growing numbers from large markets that had previously had very limited attendance: Australia, Brazil and India. Attendance from most Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries was also very good, as was attendance from the new markets of Central Asia. This demonstrates that Pitti Uomo is not only a sensitive barometer of commercial movements but also, very often, the port where the avant-garde of new buyers of the best men’s fashion disembark.
In total, there were around 5,450 foreign buyers and just under 6,000 Italian buyers. The list of the main foreign arrivals: Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, Japan, Turkey, United States, France, Switzerland, Belgium, China, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Austria, South Korea, Canada, Denmark and Australia.
‘It’s not just a question of numbers,’ adds Agostino Poletto, general manager of Pitti Immagine, “because the atmosphere during these four days has been truly positive, right from the very beginning. The main credit goes to the more than 740 exhibitors who believed and invested in the show, to their collections that incorporate the memory of high-end manufacturing together with innovative talent, infusing contemporary content and functional elements into the various canons of men’s clothing.”
Once again, Pitti Uomo has worked with conviction on international collaborations – from the focus on Korean fashion and lifestyle in the new CODE Korea, to Scandinavian Manifesto, the Japanese excellence of J∞QUALITY, and the creativity of China Wave. Not to mention the French brands of Promas and the Spanish brands of ICEX, as well as the support for Ukrainian fashion from Angel for Fashion.
The nearly 130 events on the calendar for this edition were a success and attracted a great deal of attention. To name just a few, the guests at the special events promoted by Pitti were highly appreciated by industry professionals: from Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, guest of honour with an extraordinary, multi-faceted event – exhibition and fashion show – at Villa La Petraia; the first fashion show by Korean brand PAF (Post Archive Faction), guest designer at Stazione Leopolda, which also hosted a special event by Japanese research brand Children of the Discordance; and the menswear debut of Italian talent Niccolò Pasqualetti, presented with a fashion show at the Teatro del Maggio that enchanted the press and buyers.
An Italian brand of travel accessories, born from the development of two patents by Chiara Caramelli, ZOOM BAGS creates products designed for the contemporary traveller: innovative in their solutions, sustainable in their materials and concept, and customisable in their design. The project stems from the idea of reducing the bulk of suitcases to make them more sustainable during the production, transport and storage process, but also adaptable to spaces. ZOOM BAGS promotes circularity through the use of recycled, recyclable and dead-stock materials, creating unique and durable accessories that accompany the traveller of the Third Millennium.
One example is the innovative “POP-UP” trolley, made with circular materials enhanced by a regenerative process that gives waste materials a second life: the shells are made from 60% recycled E.V.A. rubber recovered from pre-consumer shoe soles, and the linings are made from 100% recycled PES fabric from post-consumer plastic bottles or dead stock from textile production.
The soft E.V.A. rubber shell is extremely impact resistant and, in the event of an accidental fall, Pop-Up bounces instead of breaking. The large, silent wheels, which roll smoothly, can be replaced if worn and, thanks to a quick and easy release system, can be easily removed at home, washed and refitted or replaced independently if damaged, purchasing them as spare accessories. To ensure travellers receive an excellent product, Pop-Up has undergone extreme quality testing by the leading certification body SGS, passing all drop tests, wheel and handle resistance tests, and heat resistance tests.
Founded by Matteo Di Paola and Marco Primiceri, Servati was established in the heart of the Casarano footwear district with the aim of revolutionising the sector through a business model based on the circular economy. Their sneakers, made using 3D printing technology, are composed of only two materials: rubber and polyester; and can be completely disassembled and recycled at the end of their life. A patent filed in 2022 protects the innovative interlocking system between the sole and upper, which eliminates the use of glues, irreversible seams or chemical solvents. This approach makes it easy to recycle end-of-life materials to produce new footwear or transform them into other fashion accessories, reducing waste. Following the success of online sales, Servati is now looking to a new phase of growth by targeting entry into wholesale channels, with the aim of bringing its sustainable trainers to physical stores in Italy and abroad.
For the second time, Nuosmiq is participating as an emerging brand at MICAM Milano. Designer and founder Heesoun Qim has developed a methodology that combines artisan design and experimentation with unconventional materials. Nuosmiq is based on storytelling. Each collection is born from a narrative theme that intertwines with unexpected materials and innovative processes. At the stand dedicated to Emerging Designers, Nuosmiq presented the ‘City’ collection, in which the heels were made from recycled plastic: a process of fusion and moulding that required in-depth research to achieve the right density and stability.
Instead, explains Heesoun Qim, “with the SS26 Saviour of Society collection, we chose to work with fire-resistant firefighter suits, transforming them into new yarn from which we make uppers and other details. Aramid, a heat-resistant technical material, acquires a double value once regenerated: on the one hand, it guarantees high performance, and on the other, it becomes a symbol of courage and protection.” Nuosmiq is targeting the European market by focusing on distribution through boutiques and concept stores. At the same time, it is pursuing a strong social and environmental commitment. “We create products by recycling resources that would otherwise be thrown away and support campaigns for a sustainable planet, such as the National Institute of Ecology’s Walk and Earth Land,” says Qim. The brand is also an official member of 1% for the Planet, through which it donates 1% of its annual turnover to international environmental and non-profit organisations. “Our goal,” concludes Qim, “is to build a circular and sustainable design project, step by step.”
Stahl today announces the reopening of its Ranipet plant in India. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s transformation journey and reinforces the strategic importance of its presence in India, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies.
Originally opened in April 2000, the Ranipet plant remained operational until its closure in 2019. Having divested its wet-end leather business, the plant has now officially reopened with a focus on finishing and high-performance coatings and packaging.
“The reopening of our Ranipet site is an important milestone in Stahl’s transformation journey,” said Maarten Heijbroek, CEO of Stahl. “This investment reflects our strategic focus and aligns our capabilities with future market demands. Being able to produce locally in India – an essential growth market – strengthens our position and enables us to better support our customers with tailored, innovative solutions.”
The newly renovated Ranipet facility brings together coating formulation production, research and development, and laboratory and application testing capabilities under one roof.
The edition of WHITE Milano held from 25 to 28 September 2025, dedicated to the Spring/Summer collections, ended with widespread appreciation from buyers, who recognised the high level of quality and innovation of the proposals presented. This edition confirmed the event as a showcase for established brands, but above all as a dynamic and visionary platform that supports true talent and anticipates future trends through careful scouting and selection in line with the current market.
The Tortona Fashion District brought together 364 clothing and accessory brands from all over the world, 55% of which came from abroad and 45% from Italy, representing a 22% increase compared to the last two editions.
There was a 7% increase in foreign buyers. There was a significant leap forward compared to last September in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. There was also good attendance from Spain, Japan, which reached interesting levels, and German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As for the Italian market, there was an 11% decline.
WHITE was a partner of the Retail Leaders Circle Global Forum, a showcase for global fashion strategy with a focus on the retail segment, which hosted the first Retail Leaders Circle Fashion Summit at the Mudec – Museum of Cultures. The panel brought together 200 senior representatives from the fashion, luxury, retail, technology and investment sectors under the theme “Forces of Tomorrow”.
Founded in 1718, FLORIS VAN BOMMEL combines 300 years of craftsmanship with modern management under the guidance of the ninth generation of the family, which has led the company to achieve a stable annual turnover of around €60 million. For next summer’s SS26 collection, the brand offers elegant and timeless basic models that combine sporty silhouettes, innovative material combinations and custom-developed soles. Exclusive Italian leather, customised prints and colour accents give the various models their unmistakable FLORIS VAN BOMMEL character. Divided into SPORT, CASUAL and DRESSED segments, both the men’s and women’s lines achieve a confident balance between casual comfort and urban modernity, with a summery vibe that transitions effortlessly from sandy beaches to city streets and elegant dinners.
The SPORT line is dynamic, comfort-oriented and innovative in terms of materials, with modern running shoes, retro trainers and urban interpretations of activewear looks, while the CASUAL line is synonymous with relaxed elegance, characterised by maritime influences, the use of high-quality suede leathers and understated silhouettes for loafers, boots and contemporary hybrids. Finally, the DRESSED line is the stylistic heart of the collection, with progressive derbies, modern classics and characterful prints, all made in Europe.
