How a Vogue Editor Does Florence’s Pitti Uomo Menswear Festival

Justin Fernandez

Justin Fernandez Pitti Uomo Gallery

<h1 class="title">Luxe sportswear filled the Salvatore Ferragamo show at Piazza dell Signora.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Luxe sportswear filled the Salvatore Ferragamo show at Piazza dell Signora.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">Inside the concept store of Florence-based designer Federico Curari.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Inside the concept store of Florence-based designer Federico Curari.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">A suit made from Kombucha and recycled cotton at the Sustainability exhibit at Museo Salvatore Ferragamo.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

A suit made from Kombucha and recycled cotton at the Sustainability exhibit at Museo Salvatore Ferragamo.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">The newest exhibit at the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo focuses on sustainability. Here we have yarn made from recycled plastic bottles.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

The newest exhibit at the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo focuses on sustainability. Here we have yarn made from recycled plastic bottles.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">A clean crisp collection by Margaret Howell.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

A clean crisp collection by Margaret Howell.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">Stopped by the Miansai table in the Fortezza da Basso to talk about their new men’s fine jewelry collection along with bespoke men’s engagement ring services.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Stopped by the Miansai table in the Fortezza da Basso to talk about their new men’s fine jewelry collection along with bespoke men’s engagement ring services.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">I finally found iced coffee in Florence at Ditta Artigianale, which is a lifesaver in the heat of June.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

I finally found iced coffee in Florence at Ditta Artigianale, which is a lifesaver in the heat of June.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">Givenchy’s version of a snack bar.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Givenchy’s version of a snack bar.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">A tranquil scene at Villa Palmieri, the backdrop to the Givenchy show</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

A tranquil scene at Villa Palmieri, the backdrop to the Givenchy show

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">Gardens and terraces transformed into a runway at Givenchy at Villa Palmieri.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Gardens and terraces transformed into a runway at Givenchy at Villa Palmieri.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">Backstage at MSGM in the Nelson Mandela Forum.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Backstage at MSGM in the Nelson Mandela Forum.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">The finale at MSGM inside the Nelson Mandela Forum.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

The finale at MSGM inside the Nelson Mandela Forum.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">A youthful collection injected with color and prints at MSGM.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

A youthful collection injected with color and prints at MSGM.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">Watching Salvatore Ferragamo shoes be made by hand at one of their factories. “When we are lucky we will make 45 pairs of shoes a day.”</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Watching Salvatore Ferragamo shoes be made by hand at one of their factories. “When we are lucky we will make 45 pairs of shoes a day.”

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">A view of the Florentine skyline.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

A view of the Florentine skyline.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">When your commute includes crossing the Arno, you can’t but help snap a couple photos.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

When your commute includes crossing the Arno, you can’t but help snap a couple photos.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">Strolling through the Florentine streets.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Strolling through the Florentine streets.

Photo: Justin Fernandez
<h1 class="title">Backstage at Sterling Ruby's debut of S.R. Studio. LA.CA.</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Justin Fernandez</cite>

Backstage at Sterling Ruby's debut of S.R. Studio. LA.CA.

Photo: Justin Fernandez

I arrived in Florence on a warm Monday afternoon a day before Pitti Uomo began. This being my third time at the menswear-centric fair, I’ve learned how to navigate through the cinematic city that is Florence as well as the chaos that is Pitti Uomo. During this week, the city bustles a little louder, traffic crams a little tighter, but Florence shines a little brighter. On my short walk from the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station to my hotel close to the Arno river, I noticed more and more the presence of a fashion-conscious crowd (actually, not that dissimilar to Florentines). I was ready to further discover Florence and another season of Pitti Uomo.

Salvatore Ferragamo opened the week with its runway show at Piazza della Signoria, which framed the collection with Michelangelo’s David. It was a homecoming of sorts for Ferragamo, as Florence is its global headquarters: the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo is right below its offices on Via de’ Tornabuoni and one of its factories is just outside of the city. I had the pleasure of touring both this week. I rounded out my day by visiting the newly opened Federico Curradi concept store, tucked away on Via Santo Spirito.

The next day was spent running around from appointment to appointment and back to the Fortezza da Basso—the nucleus of Pitti Uomo, where brands set up camp. Following a short lunch break at Ditta Artigianale (it quickly became a favorite, as they serve iced lattes, which is a rarity in Florence), I stopped by the venue where Sterling Ruby was to debut his highly anticipated line, S.R. Studio. LA. CA., for a preview. Gleefully inspired by Ruby’s vision, I was off to the Givenchy show at the magnificent Villa Palmieri in the hills. The sprawling grounds were more beautiful with each turn, and on arrival I was greeted by the most elegant buffet and Champagne.

My final day began backstage at the MSGM show. Marking the label’s 10th anniversary, Massimo Giorgetti wanted to make sure he embodied a message within the brand. “MSGM is really about youth, about energy, positivity,” said Giorgetti, who held his show at the Nelson Mandela Forum stadium. “When I arrived in the stadium for the first time and saw all the primary colors in the seats, I thought, ‘This is MSGM. This is real.’” Next was S.R. Studio. LA. CA. Known for his frequent collaborations with Raf Simons (lest we forget the “watermelon” dresses from the first Christian Dior couture collection by Simons), Sterling Ruby debuted a collection that will give those who are mourning CK205W39 salvation. With Virgil Abloh attending, Pieter Mulier walking, and 75% of guests in Raf Simons regalia, S.R. Studio. LA. CA. has seemingly already bewitched the fashion world and cultivated a certain fan base.

To close out Pitti Uomo, Luisa Via Roma and Carine Roitfeld’s CR Runway put on one of the largest fashion shows I’ve ever witnessed, at Piazzale Michelangelo. It included more than 3,000 guests, 90 looks, and a Lenny Kravitz performance. Talk about going out in style.

With Milan on the horizon and Paris to follow, my European fashion tour has only just begun, but Florence has left me excited and optimistic about how we will usher in the 2020s and enter a new decade of fashion.

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Originally Appeared on Vogue