It’s been a minute since I last posted. My day job has been all-consuming as I’m now UK Director at Gentle Monster and Global Brand Director at FPM. I still own Stormgard and have been working in the background on a relaunch plan. 2023 is an exciting time to be alive in the industry and good to be back in Florence for a second season. Pitti Uomo 102 was a flying visit and the first (almost) official event back since the world stopped spinning. Still, great to catch-up with some old (er) faces as Pitti is as much about the people and the place as well as the product.
I’m here with Gentle Monster as we are friends with Martine Rose, guest designer for this latest edition. Martine is not only an incredibly talented artist, she also just happens to be one of the nicest, most genuine human being on the planet. Her show takes place at Mercato Nuevo, an open-air market that dates back the 1500’s; decked out with lush chartreuse carpeting and panelled mirrors – channeling louche nightclub vibes with an Italian house soundtrack. There was a sense of formality to the collection fusing tailoring with cowboy fringing and her highly coveted collab with Nike. On that note, nice to bump into Nathan Jobe on the front row, Nate’s a pioneer of partnerships at Nike (now at NGG) who I first worked with on our Mackintosh Converse Jack Purcell back in 2011. Back to the show. Bringing a little London to Firenze was the mixture of terrace culture, the Balearic club scene, football, souvenier-esque oddities, nostalgic graphics, tailoring, sportswear, kitsch and camp undertones. All featuring an eclectic cast of “outsiders”, not your typical Pitti Peacocks. A literal breath of fresh air.
LUMAER 