As fashion weeks have transitioned from industry events to world stages for highly orchestrated outfits, so has Pitti Uomo, the men’s wear trade show that takes place in Florence for the 91st time this week. But amid the growing number of men who preen and posture for the cameras — photographer Aaron Christian cleverly documented them as a narcissistic species in his mockumentary titled “The Life of Pitti Peacocks” — one thing that’s remained is the show’s ability to bring out beautifully dressed guys who still find merit in wearing tailored clothing.
“Pitti found itself on the map because these are guys who do classic in the most chic way,” said photographer Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist, who began shooting the show in 2008. “You don’t see a lot of classic, well-dressed guys anymore and you hardly see any of the guys going to shows in a suit and tie in Milan, Paris or London. You get a different kind of look here.”
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These looks have created frenzies outside of the main Pitti Uomo pavilion and many of the most photographed men have parlayed that popularity into a social media following — others have refused to play that game entirely. Here, WWD highlights well-dressed men from both camps who capture the attention of street style photographers and the industry.
Name: Alessandro Squarzi
Instagram handle: @alessandrosquarzi
Followers: 112,000
Occupation: Founder and designer of men’s wear lines Fortela and AS65
Style: Squarzi is one of the few Pitti stars who looks as comfortable in a suit as he does a moto jacket and Vans.
Name: Giovanni Dario Laudicina
Instagram handle: @giovannidariolaudicina
Followers: 8,430
Occupation: Contributing stylist at Vogue Hommes
Style: Laudicina, who is a less established presence at Pitti, has an affinity for classic pieces that are slightly oversize and slightly romantic.
Name: Thian Pillay
Instagram handle: @tt16
Followers: 3,985
Occupation: Cofounder of U.K. streetwear brand Non Conformist
Style: Pillay’s style reflects how streetwear’s popularity has influenced the way men dress at Pitti.
Name: Takahiro Kinoshita
Instagram handle: N/A
Followers: N/A
Occupation: Editor in chief of Popeye magazine
Style: There’s a preppy tilt to this magazine editor’s often photographed outfits.
Name: T-Michael
Instagram handle: @tmichael_bergen
Followers: 31,500
Occupation: Co-owner and designer of Norwegian Rain and T-Michael
Style: As a trained bespoke tailor, T-Michael is mostly photographed wearing suits. But his take on the suit is relaxed, unpretentious and usually worn as a canvas for his signature gray beard and dreads.
Name: Jake Grantham
Instagram handle: @cadeandco
Followers: 19,000
Occupation: Manager of Armoury, a Hong Kong-based men’s wear brand and store
Style: While Grantham’s outfits show a reverence for the past, there’s something modern about the way he wears his suits.
Name: Beppe Modenese
Instagram handle: N/A
Followers: N/A
Occupation: Honorary chairman of the Italian Chamber of Fashion
Style: Modenese is the epitome of Italian style but his unexpected choices, whether they be red socks or a safety pin tie clasp, are what keeps photographers intrigued.