Pitti Uomo 2012, 1053 brands at the Fortezza

FLORENCE, ITALY – There will be 1053 brands at the Fortezza da Basso, plus another 75 women’s collections at Pitti W at the Dogana. The fair’s place as the key reference on the international fashion scene is confirmed by the figures: of participating firms and the continuously growing number of applications we receive from prospective exhibitors. And then there are the buyers: the last summer edition of Pitti Uomo welcomed more than 32,000 visitors, 20,000 of whom were buyers from the world’s most important retailers, large and small.

More and more of the great names in international fashion are turning to Pitti Uomo – and Florence – as the occasion and place to present special projects and new collections, and to launch their global marketing strategies at the start of each season.

This means that we are receiving growing numbers of requests from vendors who want to stage innovative events to attract the top buyers and the international press.

Here is a partial list of the main previews and special projects scheduled for this edition of Pitti Uomo: WP Lavori in Corso will be celebrating its 30th anniversary, and will present the first collection created for Baracuta, the iconic brand they recently acquired; the important, world première showing of the 7 For All Mankind men’s collection; Ben Sherman presents EC1, the international launch of the new Ben Sherman men’s collection in one of the Fortezza’s most special areas, the Cannoniera; the historic name in denim G-Star Raw, has selected an important venue within the Fortezza – the Sala Ottagonale – to stage an exhibition-event Raw Denim Dome. The Raw Art Gallery will present a new, unusual and totally creative look at denim; the European preview of Deus Ex Machina, the biker and surfer cult label will be joining the Pitti Uomo family; Edun, the eco-fashion label created by Ali Hewson – who is married to Bono Vox – is returning to Pitti Uomo; the European premiere of Scott James, American brand that will present its sophisticated total look in a special space at the Costruzioni Lorenesi; Dekker has booked the Sala della Volta for the exclusive launch of the new collection; the important return of Siviglia, that will participate at Pitti Uomo with the trousers and accessory project of Siviglia White, the cutting edge line of the brand that is the result of a two years of research and experimentation on luxury Vintage; the presentation of the first menswear footwear line of Giuseppe Homme, signed by Giuseppe Zanotti; the world-première debut for Hancock, the collection designed by Timothy Everest; Pirelli PZero is returning to Pitti Uomo with a major presence at the Fortezza; Cesare Paciotti will be presenting the Premium footwear collection for men; the celebration of the first 5 years of Orlebar Brown with the launch of a special capsule in collaboration with Getty Images.