Discovering Florence and the World of Pitti Immagine Uomo

Photos by Chiyoko Takada

As a Fashion Editor for VRAI Magazine, my focus has always been women’s fashion, but this year, I had the opportunity to attend Pitti Immagine Uomo for the first time. The bi-annual event, this one held January 9-12 in Florence, Italy, is a trade show showcasing men’s clothing and accessories. I wasn’t prepared for what was to come.

It started with the flight from London to Florence. I had never seen so many well-dressed men in one place. The city of Florence was also filled with well-dressed gents and I felt like I was on a movie set. Once inside the Pitti Immagine Uomo trade show, I was overwhelmed with all the exhibitors and the predominantly male attendees. From tailored three-piece suits and sweaters, to accessories of scarves hats, shoes, gloves, belts, and bags, there was so much to see and explore. While I saw many tailored styles, casual street styles were also well represented. Since this was my first men’s fashion event EVER, there was so much stimuli around me.

A Place for Kings, Politicians and Celebrities

During my brief time in Florence, I was graciously provided lodging by the Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, located by the River Arno and with 360° rooftop views of the mountains and the city of Florence.

The beauty of the hotel isn’t only because of the the spectacular views it provides and its ideal location for sightseeing, but because of its long history. The current hotel location is where the city wall stood when Leonardo da Vinci proposed to create a new path for the River Arno in 1503. In 1890, the hotel hosted the king of Italy, Umberto I. Jumping forward to 1926, British author D.H. Lawrence finished his scandalous novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover within the hotel. The hotel has also hosted many international celebrities from Celine Dion, David Byrne, to Mark Hamill, to name a few. 

Aside from the the hotel’s long history, my beautifully appointed room overlooked Port San Niccolò and I enjoyed watching the sun set into the Tuscan mountains — such a breathtaking moment. 

Diving into Florence

While there are so many things to see and do while in Florence, I had the pleasure of dining at Gunè, located on the other side of the River Arno where all the locals gather. Highlighted in the Michelin guide and led by the culinary talents of Chef Mirko Margheri, Gunè has such a chic ambiance.

Since I have many food allergies, I simply asked the owner to suggest a dish for a starter and a pasta for my main course. I was served home made bread followed by delicate “pre-starter” dishes, which included my very first frog legs as a starter — surprisingly tender and they melted in my mouth. My pasta dish was chicken ravioli, foie gras with cacciatore sauce and raspberry on top. Every bite was heavenly. I’ll definitely be back at Gunè the next time I’m in Florence.