Pitti Uomo: women’s trade show Pitti W might not return

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Apr 23, 2015

After 15 seasons, Pitti W might not return for the next edition of Pitti Uomo, to be held in Florence from June 16-19. These are the rumors that have been circulating for the past few days among the Italian press. 

The show’s title has been removed from the special guests program. As organizers recently stated, young Canadian designer Thomas Tait will be the guest of honor in June "for womenswear," and not, as was previously the case, a guest of honor of Pitti W...

Organizing a womenswear show during the major men’s fashion event was a gamble that has probably not paid off. Launched in January 2008, the mini trade show for women's pre-collections was long held separately from Pitti Uomo. Hindered by this situation, it was moved to the Fortezza da Basso in June 2013. 

But the proximity to Pitt Uomo didn’t pay off in clear terms. With a disparate range and gloomy decor, Pitti W never really managed to take off, welcoming between 60 to 70 exhibitors at each edition. 

The event may have suffered from the rise of the other women’s trade shows organized by Pitti Immagine in Milan, including "Super." It also had to deal with changes to Pitti Uomo, which has welcomed more and more women's collections alongside menswear at its stands, and even all-women projects. 

In June, the women’s ready-to-wear brand Pinko took part in Pitti Uomo for the first time in order to launch a line of women's shoes, while occupying what is one of the most visible locations on the very central Piazzale della Ghiaia! 

These circumstances probably led organizers to seriously rethink Pitti Uomo. When asked about the situation, they indicated that "there will be changes to the event, including the reorganization of the trade show’s segments," without revealing anything more for now.