PITTI FILATI 62 -30 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2008, FLORENCE, FORTEZZA DA BASSO

PITTI FILATI: CREATIVE STIMULI FOR THE FASHION BUSINESS AND THE VANGUARD OF INTERNATIONAL FASHION

“Pitti Filati owes its success to the high level of its buyers and their ongoing attendance, to the quality and research components of the featured collections, and to the selection of the most innovative technologies and services for the textile industry - says Agostino Poletto, Deputy-General Manager of Pitti Immagine. “The event is the reference for the creatives and designers from the major fashion houses and international fashion brands who come to Florence looking for creative stimuli. Pitti Filati’s leadership position is maintained by constant research that does not stop at yarns for the knitting industry – it has produced an absolutely unique style and trend laboratory/workshop – the Spazio Ricerca.”

AT THE WATER’S EDGE: THE PITTI FILATI SPAZIO RICERCA

The Pitti Filati Spazio Ricerca is the observatory and experimental laboratory where the esthetic trends in international fashion are analyzed and launched: it is the place where the creative heads on the international design and fashion scenes get together. Curated by fashion designer Angelo Figus and knitwear expert Nicola Miller, the Spazio Ricerca will present the tendencies of S/S 2009 with “A Filo d’Aqua” – At the Water’s Edge. This edition’s marine theme focuses on the most elegant, abstract, playful and colorful aspects of what goes on in, under and on top of the water. The power of water itself, coral “architecture”, shiny, flashing fish, silky grains of sand, the iridescent gleam of mother-of-pearl provide the input and the tactile and chromatic inspiration for the creation of not only yarns, but also textures, shapes and atmospheres for design in general.

THE NEW CONCEPT IN LUXURY: “ECO-LUXE” IS THE KEY EVENT AT THIS EDITION

The new edition of Pitti Filati presents Eco-Luxe, an informative and entertaining project that puts the focus on the quality and value of natural, ecological and organic yarns in contrast to the stereotyped ideas of “crafty” and rustic they usually bring to mind. Displays will feature – and explain – what happens from the yarn to the finished item – be it knitwear or textiles. Curated by Ornella Bignami, our resident expert in trends and knitwear, with Eco-Luxe will reveal a new concept in luxury and a rapidly growing market niche. In addition to trade associations and consortia, Eco-Luxe will welcome visitors in a special “100% natural” lounge area.

THE UNIFORM IS THE THEME AT VINTAGE SELECTION

From 30 January to 1 February 2008, at the Stazione Leopolda, Vintage Selection the fair featuring vintage clothing, accessories and design objects will be held concomitantly with Pitti Filati 62. Vintage Selection is the archive-event that looks to fashions of the past for the inspirations of today and the future. With its great following among the general public and collectors and thanks to the fact that it is held alongside of Pitti Filati, Vintage Selection has become the not-to-be-missed event for cool hunters and important international fashion firms that come to Florence seeking inputs for their creative research. Starting with this edition Vintage Selection will have a new look and will feature a leitmotif – that will obviously change from season to season – that will be the theme for the atmosphere and part of the merchandise offer. The inspiration for Vintage Selection 11 will be the world of the uniform and fashion’s ironic interpretations of military wear.

THE CO-OPERATION WITH ICE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONAL CALENDAR

The co-operation between Pitti Immagine and ICE - Istituto per il Commercio con l’Estero (the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade) - continues during our next appointments with the support of press and buyers and, on this occasion, of our International press conferences.