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Fashion

Fashion Views from Pitti Uomo

A quick conversation on fashion from Florence at Pitti Uomo with Ilario Esposito and Taiwo Meghoma.

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Fashion

Dandy Fashion 2025 at Pitti Uomo

From January 14th to 17th Pitti Uomo happened in Florence. The Dandy Parade never disappoints.

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Fashion

It’s Cold at Pitti Uomo but the Style Keeps On Going.

We are covering Pitti Uomo January 2025. We will have all the latest trends in menswear style.

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Fashion

Pitti Uomo is around the corner

The menswear gathering in Florence happens January 14th. The latest style trends as well as the best dressed men on the planet from the most classical city in Italy. We are excited to bring you the fashion news.

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Fashion

Unpredictable, but I’m still going to Pitti Uomo

Pitti Uomo 2025 starts January 14th in Florence Italy.  The bi-annual menswear fashion trade fair showcases brands, style and trends from around the world. The fashion world faces strong headwinds as economies slow down, consumers cut back and geo-politics rattle business.  During a Zoom Call with Director of Communication Lapo Cianchi, the head gave one word, “Unpredictable” is the general outlook in the fashion world. The frank honesty was welcomed.  The business model for fashion trade show is being called into question. Since Covid, the attendance numbers have not recovered.  Even so, Pitti Uomo is a special gathering for men’s fashion lovers. 

With over 800 exhibitors signed, this upcoming apparel forum is an important event on the calendar.  MM6 from French house Maison Margiela hits the runway with “do not follow the rules” looks.   The other designer on the calendar, Satoshi Kuwata, comes to Tuscany with his label Setchu.  According to the brand’s web page “a fusion of two cultures” is the basis of the gender-neutral aesthetic.

Pitti Uomo Center
Center Court at Pitti Uomo’s Fortezza da Basso

Fashion and lifestyle concepts continue to evolve and merge.  Concepts of Community and Active Style of Living have emerged as consumers push more into experiences over brand linkage.  Producers, buyers and creatives seek shared passions with communal relationships and passions for the same ideas and values. 

Knees Up, a new concept store centered around Marathon enthusiasts has a prominent role at Pitti Uomo. The popular retail space located in East London offers fashion, coffee, sportswear and a place to recover from physical training.  Several athletic brands will exhibit with the first-time headliner in Fortezza da Basso.

The same questions linger, but have become more obvious. As customers move away from well-known masstige labels, will retailers take a chance on small brands?  Perhaps in these rattled times, a small bet can pay back big returns.   

Of course, we expect the traditional Dandy pageantry in the center courtyard.  

Pitti Uomo starts January 14th until 17th in Florence Italy. 

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Fashion

Ouest Paris makes a Menswear STATEMENT

From Florence at Pitti Uomo, Arthur Roberts from menswear Ouest Paris talks about his brand’s combination of Hedonism and Space Age influences.

Click below for the Before Tacky Podcast interview.

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Fashion Feature

In My Wardrobe From Japan

The J-Quality Factory Brand Project is a project bringing together eleven certified Japanese garment producers showcasing the menswear fashion prowess of the island nation. Not knowing what expect the first time I met the team last year at Pitti Uomo, the guided tour of selected pieces got my attention. In 2024, for the second appointment, there were more and better pieces. The cashmere sweaters (below) came from the wings from an angel, soft, light and vivid brushed to achieve a distinctive luxe feel. A piece from these collections would have a prominent place in my wardrobe.

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Before Tacky podcast

Inspiration from a TMI Moment

A person never knows when or why an inspiring time will trigger an idea: looking at a painting, hearing a piece of music or from a TMI moment. Everton McDougall got triggered to start his brand Haus by Everton from a frank conversation. The Toronto native needed comfortable and stylish home gear during the lockdown. Today, the men’s footwear designer’s brand is in stores.

For this Before Tacky podcast Everton talks about the why behind the founding of fashion label.

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Fashion podcast

959 Bags Redone

From Pitti Uomo a Before Tacky quick talk with Paolo Ferrari about his new bags for 959.

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Fashion

Guess Jeans Repositions

I remember the Guess Jean ads from the 90s. Those sexy images of models and celebrities posing in soft black and white images produced by some of the world’s most famous photographers, including Ellen von Unwerth. The pictures defined an era of denim marketing.

Guess Jeans
90’s ad with Ann Nicole Smith


Founded in 1981 by four brothers, Georges, Paul, Armand and Maurice Marciano in South of France. Moving to the United States, the Marcianos found great success, starting a high-end denim brand mingled with the California lifestyle.

At Pitti Uomo 105, the Los Angeles based label had a bit of relaunch. Using the menswear trade fair, Guess had an impressive display of showing the company’s past, present and future. Using the Florence music hall, representatives gave a tour along with a meet and greet of the installation, showing its evolution to sustainable production and new store designs.


Will it work? In many ways, Guess fell off the radar of trend conscious shoppers. Facing competition from behemoths Zara and H&;M, repositioning a fashion brand targeting young buyers will not be easy. The well known red question mark inside triangle has it work cut out for itself luring customers who shop with emotional attachments to apps searching for cheap clothing.

Is success written in the future, or will Guess just continue to cruise in the slow lane? If the Florence presentation was down payment on the next forty years.