Pitti Uomo 82 starts today, the entire calendar

FLORENCE, ITALY – There are 1,065 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. Read the entire calendar here.

ABSOLUTE LIGHT JACKET

Soft, and completely unstructured yet with tailored lines, the super-light jacket is the perfect summertime companion. The result of what happens when crafting and modern technologies are applied to the manufacturing process, this jacket can be worn with the nonchalance of a sweater, and you can hold it in your fist. Special wash treatments, piece dyeing, sophisticated finishes and yarn mixes come together in the ideal fabric for new, ever lighter jackets where shirt-like weights combine with a slightly worn air and fine detailing such as hand-stitching. The lead player is plain or textured linen that can be printed, blended with silk or over-dyed cotton, or even hemp and jersey – all natural materials that convey a sense of freshness, comfort and impeccable styling.

IT’S TIME FOR COLOR!

A mirage of the city on the ocean’s endless horizon. To wear color – and not just see it – try the superfine, micro-stitch knits in vibrant solar colors. Yellow, lime green, red orange and blue against pure white. The inspiration comes from the classiest beaches, from Forte dei Marmi to Capri to Taormina. These good-enough-to-eat colors are moving into beachwear, from swim shorts with such tailored lines that they can even be worn off the beach to footwear in styles that include classic drivers and the new must-haves deluxe version espadrilles.

BAGS FOR THE ALWAYS-CONNECTED MAN

Solutions for the dynamic, tech-loving man who is always connected. Deconstructed bags break all the classic briefcase rules and feature multi-purpose details. Padded compartments and pockets on trolleys, document cases, laptop and iPad carriers, messenger bags. Soft briefcases with or without separate document cases designed to meet the city man’s needs. Hand-stitching reflects the minimalist Japanese aesthetic on brightly colored leathers; fine skins for custom-made bags; and purist shapes lined with surprising prints – all created for functionality that never leaves the luxury concept behind.

THE LUXURY OF HANDCRAFTING

Craftsmanship – and that means handmade with attention to detail – is the constant in all categories of menswear, from jackets to shoes, from bags to hats. There is an ongoing quest for essential luxury with that scent of tradition and the result is a new freshness in beautiful things to wear now. The eccentric touch? You can see it starting from the feet in the new brogues with supple soles, in the hand-tinted loafers, in the new slippers revive antique fabrics, or in the hand-stitched rope shoes made with natural bamboo, certified bio linen, jute, straw, silk shantung and other fine materials.