Henry Bucks visits ‘Pitti Immagine Uomo’ Florence

Posted on 17. Feb, 2010 by admin in Latest News

Tim Cecil in Venice near Paul & Shark logo

Just returned a couple of weeks ago from the Florence ‘Pitti Immagine Uomo’ definitive men’s fashion show for our winter 2011 but of course for Europe’s winter 2010. Three of us went. Both the Tim Cecils and Paolo Michelini. Pitti was quite busy and there seems a renewed confidence, albeit a cautious one. Retailers are re-stocking empty shelves where they let them run down during the difficult times

Retailers in Spain, Ireland, Greece and England (except London which is booming because of the weak pound and lots of tourists) are still having a tough time and taking some time to get out of it. Very few Americans at Pitti. They are still pulling their horns in and buying cautiously, waiting for opportunities. We held a short IMG (International Menswear Group) buyers’ meeting in Florence talking about trends and how we were faring. We then all went ou to Buca Mario for a good rustic Tuscan dinner. Paolo Michelini over-ordered for us all

Pitti has changed as an exhibition. Some of the major clothing makers such as Zegna, Canali, Boss and others have now opened large permanent showrooms in Milan so Pitti has become more of a specialist show. Ties, knitwear, sportswear, jeans and casual, accessories and smaller international manufacturers. For us this is better as we go to the factories anyway to buy the collections. We worked with at least 30 of our suppliers at Pitti. Pyjamas, socks, ties, underwear, casual wear, hats, shoes etc. gresat place to see everything at one time and get the feeling of what’s going on

There seemed to be a lot of colour around even for winter. Perhaps no longer the ‘winter of their discontent’ and bringing back colour lifts people’s spirits and gives renewed energy. Of course the main collections on the runways anyway, continue to show a subdued, dark side. Narrower ties, plain shirts, dark suits etc but when yu delve into the collections there’s plenty of interesting colour. Lavender, fuchsia, burnt reds etc. mostly in accessories. Ties, pocket squares. Scarves, casual wear, socks etc

Paolo making product selection

Trends in classic suits haven’t changed a great deal. Perhaps lapels slightly narrower as are the shapes of jackets. Our challenge continues to be to buy clothes that fit Australian men and fortunately major companies dealing with America, Germany, England etc still show as mainstream lines the correct fittings that we need. Fashion designers have gone slim and mean in suits, shirts, ties, trousers etc

Young Tim and old Tim went to Venice first for a couple of days as this fitted in with our flights on Qatar (great airline, by the way!). We spent two days walking and going from place to place on ‘vaporetti’. Of course the obligatory cocktail at Harry’s bar, but also the Guggenheim contemporary arts museum, walking around unknown (well, comparatively) parts of Venice with the help of a quirky guide book that takes you off the beaten track. We found a couple of good little restaurants but still think eating in Florence is hard to beat

Tags: florence, henry bucks, Italian fashion, Italian mens clothing, Italian mens fashion, pitti immagine uomo, tim cecil