Saks Is Partnering With The Flyest Of Italian Men

Photo: The Styleograph/WENN

Saks, a Fortune 1000 operator of high-end department stores, is teaming up with the Italian Trade Commission on an initiative inspired by the Pitti Immagine Uomo trade show. For those unfamiliar with the event, it is normally held twice a year with 432 vendors, and serves as the world’s most important platform for men’s clothing and accessory collections. As dandy men come together at the Fortezza da Basso, the exhibition helps raise the profile of Italian designers and has quickly achieved international stature as a leading fashion fair.

The Birmingham, Alabama-founded, New York City-headquartered company aims to follow a similar path as the Pitti Uomo trade show. Titled Italian Sartorial Style — the event will boast a 22-page feature shot in Florence for its Father’s Day catalog, as well as a special gift guide, with some in-store visuals and windows. “We’ve been faithful Pitti Uomo-goers for years,” Tom Ott, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of men’s wear for Saks, said to WWD. “And it’s become almost a fashion event itself.”

The show, which draws “a bunch of peacocks (read: flashy men),” features men of all ages and backgrounds showing off their seasonal fabrics, one-off accessories, and classic outfits in brilliant colors.

Ott did admit that the average guy on the street might not know what Pitti Uomo is, but “the right customer does,” he said. “If you look at blogs, social media and fashion magazines, they’re all referencing Pitti Uomo.” Six windows at Saks’ flagship store will spotlight sketches from Yooco Tanimoto, illustrator of the book, Pitti People: Portraits of the Italian Dandy, which will also be available for sale as well. Saks will even co-host an event on June 18 during Pittin in Florence.

If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then the charitable tie-in should do well to your soul. From June 14 to 21, 5 percent of the proceeds from the sale of Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Collection merchandise will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

On the following pages, we have some sartorial sexiness for you to check out featuring the men of the Pitti Immagine Uomo trade show.

[via WWD]

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