Elsewhere at Pitti, mainstays like Kiton and newer fixtures like Guess Jeans will exhibit and host community events across the weekend. Then, with a growing focus on performance labels, Danish premium cycling apparel brand Pas Normal will hold a bike ride on Wednesday. “The Post Archive Faction show and the Pas Normal ride out will be major highlights at Pitti,” says Terry Betts, buying director at fashion retailer End Clothing. “I’m excited to see two of our favourite partners showcase their unique worlds and communities to Florence, and I’m sure Issey Miyake will deliver something wonderful as the guest of honour.”
Milan Fashion Week Men’s
For a few seasons now, the Milan Fashion Week Men’s schedule has been pretty quiet, since major labels including Gucci, Versace, Moschino, JW Anderson and DSquared2 gradually shifted to co-ed shows or presentations post-pandemic. SS26 is no different. In fact, some buyers who typically attend Milan Fashion Week (MFW) are skipping this season, heading home for a break between Pitti and Paris Fashion Week Men’s.
The week will feature 15 physical shows, 41 presentations and 17 events, with tentpole shows from Prada and Giorgio Armani on Sunday 22 and Monday 23 June, respectively. Some new labels are also joining the show schedule. London menswear stalwart Paul Smith — who typically shows in Paris — will make his Milan debut on Saturday evening, following his Pitti Uomo guest designer show for SS25. London-based Emirati menswear label Qasimi and Japanese label Setchu are also joining the show roster, the latter of which made a well-received debut as guest designer at Pitti Uomo in January.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the continued development of Satoshi Kuwata’s Setchu, who was one of Pitti Uomo’s featured designers last year,” DeLeon says. “It’s great that he’ll be joined in Milan by Sir Paul Smith, who is moving his show from Paris this season.”
For many, presentations are the draw of MFW Men’s. Chinese label Uma Wang joins the presentation schedule on Friday, while on Sunday, Bally makes its return. The latter is undergoing a creative transition following the departure of creative director Simone Bellotti, and is yet to name a successor (Bellotti was appointed creative director of Jil Sander in March).
