For over sixty years, Pitti Uomo has been one of the leading italian events dedicated to men's fashion, more precisely 'pret à porter'.
Every year, four days in January and four days in June, Florence transforms into the capital of men's fashion, attracting industry experts from all over the world, with exhibitions and events in historic venues and palaces.
The event was born on 12 February 1952 at the home of Giovanni Battista Giorgini, a descendant of a family of Lucca nobles, who hosted several fashion shows in his home in Florence: Villa Torrigiani.
During the event, the Fontana sisters, Jole Veneziani, Fabiani, Pucci, Noberasco, Carosa and Schuberth showed their models in front of American buyers and journalists.
Given its great success, the event was repeated the following year, but in another location: The historic Grand Hotel in Florence, located in a sumptuous 19th century palace, where past and present coexist in perfect harmony according to the values of Florentine tradition.
It was only later that it moved to its historic location: The Sala Bianca in Palazzo Pitti, from which it later took its name.
The 'official' birth of Pitti Uomo, as we know it today, dates back to 1972, when the event was entirely reserved for men's fashion.
The current location of Pitti Immagine is the Fortezza da Basso, where it was moved in 1982, for reasons of space, and today it is a true exhibition, with individual stands where brands present their products and collections.
Alongside Pitti Uomo, several events dedicated to other specific sectors have also born over the years, such as Pitti Bimbo, for children's fashion, and Pitti Filati, for textiles, as well as collateral sectors, such as perfumes in Pitti Fragranze.
In 2006, Taste: Travelling with the diversity of taste, the exhibition that every year goes on a discovery tour of Italian food and wine of excellence, through tastings, debates and a rich programme of events.
In the 2000s, other events were also born: Pitti W-Woman Precollection, the new salon-event dedicated to women's pre-collections, a privileged channel for the launch of innovative projects and brands; Vintage Selection: An exhibition-market of vintage clothing, accessories and design objects, a European reference point for the sector.