Positive signals from Pitti Uomo No. 105

The new year opened under good prospects, at least on the foreign market front, judging by the attendance figures of the first scheduled event dedicated to high-end and luxury fashion for men. Pitti Immagine Uomo, in fact, staged at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence from January 9 to 12, 2024, registered an increase compared to January 2023 in the number of foreign buyers by 4 percent and by almost 6 percent in terms of points of sale. The Italian figure, on the other hand, was down slightly, a circumstance that was widely expected given the slowdowns in our domestic market, especially recorded in the last three or four months. . The final figure of buyer-only turnouts reached 13,000, with foreigners around 4,700.

The top 20 countries in order of attendance were: Germany, Holland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, France, Japan, the United States, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Greece, China, South Korea, Portugal, Russia, Poland, Canada, Denmark and Sweden.

All the main foreign markets were up-with double-digit performances for Germany, France, the United States, and Belgium-and of particular note was the steady recovery of the main Asian markets-Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, and China Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and other emerging markets. “If the men’s fashion system had to beat the drum right away in this start of 2024,” commented Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine, “really positive messages came from Pitti Uomo No. 105: in the pavilions, among the stands, in the city, at the special events, here in Florence we registered a widespread, great energy – also the result of the warm personal interactions that are established when an international community of interests and culture comes together in spatial and temporal unity – and together, the will of all the operators to focus on the factors considered decisive for success in the markets. I am referring to the quality of the collections and the commitment of the companies to add stylistic and/or material novelties each season in tune with new consumer trends; to the ability on the part of the best retailers and buyers to select orders according to curatorial logic that integrates-without subordinating-with commercial needs, thus giving opportunity and visibility to experimentation, new generations, and fashion research.”

The special events of this edition received great attention and participation. Among the many on the program were the runway shows of Guest Designers Magliano and SS Daley, Todd Snyder’s designer showcase, Achilles Ion Gabriel’s absolute debut, the special immersive installation celebrating Guess Jeans at the Teatro del Maggio, the launch of the Tod’s and Automobili Lamborghini collaboration-along with the numerous special projects and international participations at the Fortezza, including NEUDEUTSCH curated by Julian Daynov, which turned the spotlight on the new creative scene from Germany, and the Velvet Mi Amor installation and book dedicated to velvet.