Introducing BoF's Menswear Hub

FLORENCE, Italy — My first trip to Pitti Uomo was back in January 2010, when BoF was still very much a passion project run from my sofa. But from that very first visit, I was impressed by the scale and creativity of this, the largest menswear tradeshow in the world, which attracts around 30,000 buyers, vendors, journalists and manufacturers — in short, representatives from every aspect of the entire menswear industry.

And, then, there is the merchandise. Back in 2010, I wrote: "Rather than a series of boring stalls, filled with 'me-too' product, Pitti Uomo offers an impressive menswear mix of urban and classic, formal and casual, and high-fashion and high-street. There is literally something for everyone in the maze of pavilions on the site of the Fortezza da Basso."

Since then, BoF has come back to Florence often to take part in the creative offerings and goings on that happen here at Pitti every six months: for Gareth Pugh's fantastical fashion film, projected on to the ceiling of a 14th century church; for Raf Simons' incredible collection for Jil Sander which set off the colour trend in menswear; and even to celebrate our own 5th birthday at the Villa Favard, home to the fashion school Polimoda.

Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2011 | Source: Pitti Immagine

This is why we are so proud and excited to partner with Pitti Immagine this season to launch our new menswear hub to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Firenze, Hometown of Fashion. I invite you to check out the hub, where you will find menswear-focused news and analysis — not just from Pitti, but also from London, Milan, Paris and beyond — from BoF correspondents and curated from around the web, as well as a live index of the most influential people and retailers shaping the global menswear market. The hub will give you a real-time view of men's fashion week, as it happens, through the lens of menswear influencers, but also on-going insight and intelligence between seasons.

In particular, I'd like to highlight a section of the hub which focuses on 30 leading menswear retailers from around the world. Together with Pitti Immagine, BoF scoured the globe for the very best retailers of menswear and spoke with leading representatives — from buyers to chief executives — to understand how the menswear market is evolving in their local markets and understand the secrets to their success.

BoF Celebrates 5 Years at Polimoda, 21 June 2012, Florence | Photo: Polimoda

Later today, at a special ceremony at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Matteo Renzi, the prime minster of Italy and a Florence native, will be presenting each of these innovative retailers with a special award in association with The Business of Fashion and Pitti Immagine.

Some of these leading retailers, like Santa Eulalia in Barcelona and Le Bon Marché in Paris, have been around for more than 100 years, while others like Silver Deer in Mexico City, Sanahunt in Kiev and Boon the Shop in Seoul are carving new paths in fast-emerging markets. And, then, there are the digital innovators, like Mr Porter in London, Ssense in Montréal and Luisa Via Roma here in Florence, which reach customers all around the world. Each of them have been successful in crafting a unique point of view and approach that make them true retail leaders in menswear.

Please explore our new menswear hub and share your feedback on social media and at: feedback@businessoffashion.com.

Imran Amed
Founder and Editor-in-Chief