Ahead of the 108th edition of Pitti Uomo the- world’s premier menswear trade show, Italian designer Niccolò Pasqualetti has been unveiled as the guest designer for the upcoming event. Known for his innovative approach to tailoring, sustainable practices, and distinctive aesthetic that blends classic Italian craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities, Pasqualetti’s presence will be a major highlight of the Florentine showcase.
“Much like Jean Arp, who inspired his jewellery design, Niccolò Pasqualetti invents new forms of reality through his garments, experimenting with diverse materials. Starting from the sartorial codes of traditional Italian menswear, which he boldly reinterprets, Niccolò creates collections where past and present, masculine and feminine, classic and contemporary coexist in a uniquely organic and original way,” says Francesca Tacconi, Special Events Coordinator at Pitti Immagine.
Pasqualetti was among the finalists of the LVMH Prize for Young Designers in 2024 and is considered one of the most promising voices in the emerging global fashion scene, according to the statement. He usually shows his collections during Paris Fashion Week. In Florence, the designer is now making his menswear collection debut.
The designer, born in 1994, studied at the Iuav University of Venice, in Belgium, and at The Row in New York, before completing a master’s degree in womenswear at Central Saint Martins in London. He then worked for Spanish fashion house Loewe. In 2021, Pasqualetti founded his eponymous brand. In the same year, he was also awarded the Franca Sozzani Award. In 2023 and 2024, he received the Camera Moda Fashion Trust Award.
This prestigious invitation marks a significant milestone in Pasqualetti’s burgeoning career. The Paris-based designer, celebrated for his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to ethical sourcing, will have a unique platform to present his vision for his first foray into menswear. Pitti Uomo’s guest designer segment traditionally offers a prominent space for designers to showcase their collections and creative philosophies to a global audience of buyers, press, and industry insiders.
Speaking on his invitation, he said “It means a lot to be invited to show at this season’s Pitti Immagine Uomo, which for me has always stood for rigour in the making and meaning of clothes. Being from near Florence, I am especially thankful for this chance to return and present my work here. The codes of menswear have always informed my desire for precision, for expressive details, and for a certain freedom in dressing. I’m eager to evolve these codes while staying true to them.”
Pitti Uomo 108 is scheduled to take place in Florence in June 2025. Niccolò Pasqualetti’s guest designer presentation is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited events on the calendar, promising a compelling glimpse into the future of contemporary menswear.
