Pitti Bimbo: demand is led by foreign markets

Events around the town, catwalk shows and presentations: Pitti Bimbo is a worthy act to follow that of the men’s fashion fair in Florence that took place a couple of weeks ago. Pitti was ruled by those from abroad.  Pitti welcomed more visitors

from Russia (+14.5%), Japan (+80%), Brazil (+18%), the United States (+17%), South Korea (+15%), Turkey (+15%) and Ukraine (+18%). An increase too in those from Hong Kong, Denmark, Poland, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait. A decrease, however, in visitors arriving from Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy.

Data
Accordingto preliminary figures from Sistema moda Italia, for junior fashion (a term referring to clothing in knitwear and fabric for kids between 0-14 years old, including underwear and accessories) 2011 should show a change in step. Mainly thanks to export figures (with annual predictions up by +11.7%), the turnover for the sector is predicted to turn positive after a weak three years. The total turnover should in fact pick up by +4.1%, to more than 2.6 billion Euros. The sector has only partially benefited from the improvement in the world economy for 2011, still failing to gain strong rhythms of growth within domestic markets. In 2011 the contraction in production values did not cease, resulting in the swing of a further - 5.1% according to early estimations.

Pitti Bimbo
510 collections were presented at the fair, of which some 200 from abroad. Pitti welcomed 8000 buyers (2,700 from abroad) and more than 10,000 visitors.

“You could sense the energy around the stands”, remarked Raffaello Napoleone, managing director of Pitti Immagine. “The exhibitors are very satisfied, visitors were of a high quality, and all the important shops, boutiques and international department stores were there in spite of the predictable fall in the number of Italians, the situation here in our country being difficult, consumption at a minimum and stores struggling.”

Pitti is an essential appointment for those wanting a 360 degree vision of the trends in the children sector. The clothing was contemporary, but also classic. “Excellent offer in cashmere garments, footwear and clothes with an American flavour,” said Joanne Dempsey, children’s wear buyer for Liberty London. “I found many more new brands compared to previous editions, especially for girls’ wear: this means the fair is continually researching and selecting”, added Yutaka Mizutani, buyer for children’s wear for Isetan Shinjuku Store (Japan).

Among the fashion parades and events that gave an allure and glamour to the week of children’s wear fashion were Twin Set – Simona Barbieri, Miss Blumarine, Elsy and Miss Grant. Versace returned to Florence with its Young Versace collection, a first line dedicated to children between 0-12 years old. The 2012-2013 autumn/winter collection was presented with a cocktail party at Palazzo Corsini.

From the streets to the web
The virtual fair e-Pitti, that was launched six months ago, is renewed. The website now serves as a temporary showroom, where Pitti Uomo, Pitti W and Pitti Bimbo exhibitors can show their collections, and registered buyers can order.

From our correspondent in Milan