Since 1972, Italian event organization Pitti Immagine has held some of the world’s most exciting events in the fashion industry. Pitti Uomo festival series, dedicated to men’s clothing, takes place twice a year in Firenze.

For the occasion sponsored programs are launched thanks to which upcoming designers and labels can get a chance to be seen on the international stage.

One of those, called Pitti Italics, which aims to help Italian-based creators  while supporting the country’s economy at the same time. A handful of selected designers – the list has just been revealed – will have the honor to showcase their creations to investors and decision-makers during Pitti Uomo 91, taking place in Florenza in January 2017.

A bit about the lucky creators: Tuscan designer Carlo Volpi, who won the “Who is on next? Uomo” title in 2016, is the first to appear on the bill. Known for his unisex knitwear pieces characterized by bold colors and eclectic patterns, the designer, who launched his brand in 2014, will present his latest collection at Pitti Uomo. He will be joined by Lucio Vanotti, a minimalist designer who put on a catwalk show at the latest edition of Pitti Uomo in June, and by Sansovino 6, a knitwear brand founded by US designer Edward Buchanan.

Pitti Immagine has also teamed up with Japan Fashion Week Organization on a two-year deal that will see the event focus on emerging Japanese talent, and with KOCCA, a South Korean government agency supporting national creativity, on brands that are breaking into the industry in the Asian nation.
As a result, the upcoming show will feature Sulvam, a budding Japanese menswear brand founded by Teppei Fujita, who won the “Tokyo Fashion Award” in 2014. South Korean brand BMUET(TE), a finalist in the 2012 WGSN Global Fashion Awards, known for blending luxurious fabrics and unconventional structures, will also make an appearance, alongside fellow South Korean label Ordinary People, which has been shown on the catwalk seven consecutive times at Seoul Collection.

In October it was revealed that fashion designer Paul Smith would launch his new PS by Paul Smith collection at the upcoming trade show, in the context of his role as ‘Special Guest’.
Pitti Immagine Uomo 91 will run from January 10-13.

Watch the last edition’s wrap-up video: