Enfnts Terribles

Contrary to what you may think, the prestigious fair, which takes place in Florence twice a year, isn’t just a playing ground for dapper men prancing around in fitted suits and panama hats. It also delivers true and exciting fashion.

Pitti Uomo has always been a great platform for discovering new talent, and this month’s edition did not disappoint with its carefully curated choice of guest designers. Here are the 4 highlights that made this edition of Pitti Uomo alluring and quite unforgettable.

Homme Plissé Issey Miyake

When it comes to Issey Miyake, pleats are a trademark and design signature. “It’s all I ever wear”, confessed an enthusiastic French guest right before the show started. Homme Plissé Issey Miyake is more of a lifestyle than a trendy fashion brand. The striking show, which took place within the grand Villa Medicea Della Petraia, had plenty to offer stylish men, from reworked sportswear garments to artistic prints and unusual proportions. The show was coupled with an exhibition taking place inside the walls of the Villa, underlining its Tuscan inspiration. What makes the brand successful— and rather popular among fashion enthusiasts —is its emphasis on comfort, color, and individuality.

Niccolò Pasqualetti

A rising star within Italian fashion, Central Saint Martins graduate Niccolò Pasqualetti —who splits his time between Tuscany, Paris and Milan— delivered a sensual and powerful menswear show, choosing the impressive architecture of Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino designed by Paolo Desideri. Using military codes as a starting point, the Italian designer added eroticism and edge to garments that are often envisaged as clichés of masculinity. His play on gender codes was clever, too, with cheeky skirt trousers and cutouts, as well as sheer effects. Pasqualetti has a unique voice, and getting to show in his native Tuscany felt like a meaningful —and emotional— experience.