Pitti Uomo 109: Florence's Sartorial Symphony in Motion
Courtesy of Astra Marina Cabras
Courtesy of LA Art Show
Courtesy of Lukas Gansterer
Courtesy of Henge
Courtesy of Andreas Simopoulos
Courtesy of Dave Benett
Courtesy of Japan Mobility Show
Courtesy of ART Cologne
Courtesy of whenobjectswork / Kate Hume
Courtesy of Ivan Erofeev
Courtesy of Stéphane ABOUDARAM - WE ARE CONTENT(S)
Courtesy of Sacha Moreau / Global Gift Gala Monaco
Courtesy of Fadi Al Shami
Courtesy of Sofia Hartmann
Courtesy of Historyhd
Courtesy of Mick De Paola
Courtesy of the artist (c) VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2025. Photography by Jens Ziehe.
Courtesy of Yasamine June
Courtesy of Rawisara Prachaksubhanit
Courtesy of Mariia Dred for Berlin Fashion Week
Courtesy of Michael Fousert
Courtesy of Raden Prasetya
Courtesy of Antonia Tewes
Courtesy of Antonia Tewes
Courtesy of Carlo Bazzo
Courtesy of Artem Zakharov
Courtesy of James Cochrane / Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26
Courtesy of Fashion Week Studio
Courtesy of Burak Goraler / AFW
Courtesy of Antonia Tewes
Courtesy of SF / Luigi Caputo
Courtesy of Bruno Cordioli / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Courtesy of Dubai Fashion Week / Ruzaini Official
Courtesy of Frieze Seoul 2025 / Wecap Studio
Courtesy of LecartPhotos
Courtesy of Jacopo Salvi / La Biennale di Venezia / ASAC Photo
Courtesy of Campione d’Italia’s Classic Circuit
Courtesy of Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
Courtesy of Jochem Raat
Courtesy of Corey Watson
Courtesy of Pitti Immagine / Fragranze
Courtesy of Le Sable
Courtesy of Once Milano
Courtesy of Monaco Yacht Show
Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America
Courtesy of Guy Bell / British Art Fair
Photo by Sean Zanni / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Courtesy of Messe München GmbH / Thomas Plettenberg
Courtesy of ph G Martin-Raget/SNST
Courtesy of David Pupăză
Courtesy of Derek Rose
Courtesy of Jim Winslet
Courtesy of Millie Turner/BFI
Photo by Hugo Glendinning. Courtesy of Frieze
Courtesy of Rolex / Kurt Arrigo
Courtesy of Laura Dupuy
Courtesy of Palm Beach Show Group
Courtesy of Getty Images for Perelman Perfor
Courtesy of BFA 2025
Images credited Jason Alden courtesy of LAPADA
Courtesy of Informa Markets
Courtesy of The Qatar Boat Show
Courtesy of Getty Images for Baby2Baby
Courtesy of Jeanne Canto
Courtesy of Darian DiCianno
Courtesy of David Long/Cancer Research UK
Courtesy of Saslong Classic Club
Courtesy of Dieter Nagl für die Wiener Philharmoniker
Courtesy of Derek Rose
Courtesy of Lukas Gansterer
A
T
I
I
O
O
T
M
I
L
L
L
C
S
S
T
T
A
T
H
F
T
E
F
O
A
T
F
I
T
T
T
T
I
I
T
I
O
P
S
A
S
U
O
A
E
G
B
I
A
I
L
I
T
M
O
G
U
I
L
S
N
I
D
U
T
A
F
I
W
F
O
A
A
M
L
I
V
I
I
S
A
s the winter sun dipped low over the Arno, casting a golden haze on Florence's ancient stones, the Fortezza da Basso pulsed with an electric undercurrent. Pitti Uomo 109, held from January 13 to 16, 2026, wasn't merely a trade fair, it was a grand theater where menswear's elite convened, blending tradition with avant-garde flair. Here, fashion wasn't static; it was alive, propelling the global high-society wardrobe into 2026 with quiet defiance against economic headwinds.
Pitti Uomo 109 spotlighted a trio of visionary talents, each infusing the fair with cultural depth. Israeli designer Hed Mayner, as guest designer, staged a mesmerizing show at La Palazzina Reale, exploring "beauty in wrongness." His autumn/winter 2026 collection featured generous proportions, oversized coats and trousers that draped like sculptures in motion, challenging conventional fit while evoking a sense of liberated masculini
Japanese innovators shone brightly too. Soshiotsuki, fresh off the 2025 LVMH Prize, debuted in Europe with a runway at the Refettorio di Santa Maria Novella. Drawing from 1980s-90s Italian tailoring filtered through Japanese minimalism, the collection played with subtle curls in lapels and collars, activated only by the wearer's movement.
Shinyakozuka, protagonist of a special event, transformed the runway into a snowy dreamscape, with models dusted in faux flakes. His pieces emphasized quiet evolution, reinterpreting menswear through layered textures and innovative cuts that whispered rather than shouted, appealing to those in high society who value understated opulence.
Trends Defining the Elite Aesthetic
The fair's trends leaned into "motion" as both literal and metaphorical, with collections prioritizing fabrics that move, wools, cashmeres, and technical blends engineered for dynamism. Street style captured this essence: attendees in voluminous overcoats, wide-leg trousers, and hybrid sneakers, merging classicism with streetwear. Brands like Sebago celebrated 80 years by expanding beyond boat shoes into total looks, while newcomers such as Glenover (Japan) and Bareen (Denmark) introduced sustainable innovations, from recycled wools to modular designs.
The Social Stage of Florence
Beyond runways, Pitti Uomo 109 was a social crucible. The UniCredit Theatre hosted dialogues on sustainability and digitalization, reflecting the bank's extended partnership with Pitti Immagine until 2027. This collaboration, bolstered by a €1 billion fund for the fashion sector, underscores support for transitions that elite patrons demand, think AI matchmaking via Hyperscout for personalized networking.
In the shadowed arches of Fortezza da Basso, where echoes of Medici grandeur mingle with the crisp snap of camera shutters, Pitti Uomo 109 unfolded as a testament to menswear's enduring vitality. From January 13 to 16, 2026, over 1,000 brands converged under the theme "Pitti in Motion," a multifaceted concept exploring fashion's interplay with politics, culture, and physical dynamism. This edition, opening the autumn/winter 2026 season, drew robust attendance, foreign buyers surged, affirming Florence's role as the epicenter of global menswear despite broader industry slowdowns.
Exhibitors spanned classics to avant-garde. Sections like Fantastic Classic featured heritage brands such as Latorre and Revere 1949, with tailored suits in British woolens. Futuro Maschile showcased innovative labels like No Map Society, blending eco-fabrics with urban edge. New entrants, Glenover from Japan, Septwolves from China, infused global flavors, while Scandinavian Manifesto highlighted minimalist designs from Bareen and Won Hundred. Sebago's 80th anniversary marked a pivot to total looks, expanding from iconic loafers to coordinated ensembles.
Culturally, Pitti resonates as a stage for identity curation. In elite circles, a Soshiotsuki suit signals refined globalism; a Mayner piece, philosophical depth. Amid controversies, calls for broader inclusivity beyond Euro-Asian focuses, the fair balances heritage with progress, shaping status through craftsmanship. As attendees dispersed to Milan, Pitti Uomo 109 reaffirmed fashion's role: not just attire, but a dynamic force forging personal and societal narratives.
