The 86th edition of the International children's fashion show Pitti Bimbo will be held at the Fortezza da Basso, Florence from January 18 to 20, 2018. The show's previous Winter edition hosted 540 collections of which 315 were from outside Italy, and over 6,700 buyers, for a total of 10,000 visitors. For the forthcoming edition, foreign buyers from Russia, Asia (Hong Kong, China and South Korea), the USA and Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, the UK and Scandinavia) are expected.
The Italian children's fashion industry is growing significantly reveals SMI data, the Italian fashion and textile industry association, with exports up 2.9 per cent during the period January-August 2017. The UK and Russia were leading destinations, while exports to Spain and Germany fell. 86th Pitti Bimbo will celebrate the 50th anniversary of high-end children’s wear brand Monnalisa, with the show's first evening event on 18th January.
Simonetta will present a collection created in collaboration with Vespa, and Elisabetta Franchi La Mia Bambina will showcase two new lines, Newborn (0 to 18 months) and Baby (6 to 36 months) as well as a new footwear collection produced and distributed by Andrea Montelpare.
As for the show’s sections, #Activelab will be focusing on innovation and research in urban and activewear and feature labels such as Bangbang Copenhagen Aps, Barn of Monkeys, Carlijnq, Duukies Beachsocks, Gardner and the Gang, How to Kiss a Frog, Jborn Kids, Kids on the Moon, Kukukid, Loud Apparel, Lucky no.7, Oji, Tom Joule and Wheat. The Apartment section will concentrate on luxury children’s wear, KidsFIZZ will host creative labels, Fancy Room will feature lifestyle products, from interior design to accessories and tech gadgets, while The Nest will be host a selection of smaller brands and emerging labels, chosen in collaboration with Berlin concept store Little Pop Up Berlin.
The EcoEthic section will be dedicated to sustainable children’s wear brands using organic and bio materials. The show will also present Fashion Comics, featuring a series of mini collections by a selection of emerging fashion designers inspired by the Powerpuff Girls cartoons.
