Spring 11 kicks off in style at Pitti Uomo

Despite the atypical mist of Tuscan drizzle, I'm watching the premier league of menswear buyers flooding through the fortified medieval gates of Florence's spectacular Fortezza da Basso for the opening morning of Pitti Uomo. Not even a 1-1 draw in Italy's opening World Cup game against Paraguay last night could dampen spirits or thwart the sartorial pursuits of this pastels-clad mob.
Waking up particularly early this grey and unsettled morning, I spied small clusters of Japanese buyers from the first floor window of the Albergo Universal, my chi-chi hotel situated on the edge of the pretty and historic Piazza de Santa Maria Novella. Congregating like small starlings, around the many cafes dotted around the square these spectaculalry turned-out buying-types cut such a dash in their exquisitely tailored double-breasted armour. Lightweight and in various shades of blue, each of these buyers' suits were given a punky edge through the addition of skater-chic key-chains dangling languidly from their belt loops to back pockets. It would have made for a sharp individual detail had they not all been wearing the same damn accessory.
Anyway, back to the show, where we have already found Brit brands in characteristically positive mode, salivating at the prospect of driving international growth,  although not perhaps from the barren US market. Douglas Hood, director at flamboyant London tailoring brand William Hunt reported that a host of Japanese buyers (perhaps our friends from the Piazza) now claim that Pitti Uomo presents a more directional trend statement than its Berlin counterpart, Bread & Butter.
"The UK buyers are on their way," said Hood. "That is of course if their pre-show enthusiasm for Pitti Uomo materialises." Hood was also quick to underline the continuing evolution of the fair, which as reported by Fashion Buyer six monts ago, is mutating into a far more diverse affair than its former formalwear-heavy guise. The new Pitti Uomo is now as impressive a backdrop for premium, artisan-led casualwear as it is for the top-grade tailoring which made the show's reputation.

Over the next three days Fashion Buyer will dissect the hottest looks, brands and trends from arguably the sexiest menswear show on the planet. Keep tuning in.Source URL: http://icip2idayusof.blogspot.com/2010/06/spring-11-kicks-off-in-style-at-pitti.html
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