A global audience is expected to flock to the halls of Fortezza da Basso as the 109th edition of Pitti Uomo opens on Tuesday. The four-day men’s trade show will display more than 700 exhibitors, 44 percent of which will be international.
Over the years, organizing body Pitti Immagine upped its commitment to raising the event’s international appeal, partnering with foreign institutions from different countries to highlight their national talents and spotlighting specific regions at each edition.
This season, organizers went all in for a global approach, as these ongoing partnerships will be displayed across the Florentine venue. Country areas will include the likes of China Wave, the fourth iteration of the tie-up between Pitti Uomo and China National Garment Association; Code Korea, the tie-up with Korea Creative Content Agency that debuted at the last edition; the J Quality and Japan Leather Showroom projects, curated by the Japan Apparel and Fashion Industry Association and the Japanese ministry of economy, trade and Industry, respectively; Scandinavian Manifesto, coordinated with CIFF; Promas, developed in collaboration with Promas French Menswear Fédération and DEFI, and ICEX, developed in tandem with the namesake Spanish institution.
Here WWD takes a quick trip around the world to spotlight six names hailing from these special sections.
China Wave: Joe With Lol
A preview look from the Jo With Lol men’s fall 2026 collection.
Courtesy of Jo With Lol
Founder: Derren
Year of foundation: 2016
Brand philosophy: The brand’s motto reads: “Dress With Joy. Style With Fun.” Its founder and principal designer Derren said the brand “cares about all the beautiful things in this world and uses our professional approach to capture the beauty that exists around us.”
Inspiration: The fall 2026 collection draws from a retro urban aesthetic with a romantic, Renaissance-inspired spin. Colors take center stage, embedding references to the paintings and glasswork in European churches, the hues of the natural landscape in China’s Dunhuang county, as well as to the iconography and embroideries from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern dynasties in ancient China.
Key pieces: Reworking streetwear tropes under an arty and craft-intensive lens, the collection features chunky, oversize cardigans in mixed colorful patterns with matching knitted socks; relaxed workwear suits in shimmering velvet and oversized numbers in cotton canvas with A-line overshirts, as well as meaty leather bomber jackets in primary colors such as Klein blue and lobster red. A denim bomber jacket features intricate embroideries inspired by ancient Chinese tapestry and paintings.
Retail price range: From $42 for T-shirts to $860 for leather coats, with sweaters starting at $85 up until $570 for intricate pieces, and pants under $200.
Stockists: The brand boasts a retail network in China with flagship stores in Foshan, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Xi’an.
Code Korea: Ordinary People
A preview look from the Ordinary People fall collection.
Courtesy of Ordinary People
Founder: Jang Hyeong Cheol
Year of foundation: 2011
Brand philosophy: Rooted in upcycling and garment deconstruction, Ordinary People references traditional menswear with an athleisure spin. The overarching theme is the exploration of uniqueness that can be found even in ordinary pieces of clothing. “I’ve always been interested in the contradiction between what we call ‘ordinary’ and what fashion defines as ‘special,’” Jang said. Like fashion pieces, each person carries a unique combination of taste, personality, and lifestyle that sets them apart from others. “No one can clearly define what is ordinary, the boundary between ordinary and special becomes blurred,” he said.
Inspiration: The fall 2026 collection offers a restrained interpretation of athleticism. “Rather than performance-driven sportswear, I wanted to focus on clothing that feels lived-in and personal,” Jang explained. “It’s about how athletic elements naturally blend into everyday life,” he said. Straddling formalwear codes and casualwear, Jang softens traditional silhouettes via unexpected fabric pairings, texture contrast, and use of hybrid materials.
Key pieces: The A-2 bomber jacket crafted from velvet and nylon adds tactile contrast to the heritage military silhouette; the zippered shirts made from fluid nylon and satin to evoke movement; the striped and checkered shirts obtained through layering and paneling, and the tailored pants and casual sweatpants styled across looks reinforce the concept of blurring formal and athletic codes.
Retail price range: Tops range from 75 euros to 99 euros, while outerwear retails below 340 euros and pants at around 100 euros.
Stockists: Musinsa and 29CM, as well as the brand’s e-commerce site.
Scandinavian Manifesto: Woodbird
Looks from Woodbird’s new collection.
Courtesy of Woodbird
Founder: Chung Wai Cheung
Year of foundation: 2010
Brand philosophy: Rooted in Scandinavian and Asian culture, the brand blends vibrant street expressions from Hong Kong with a casual Danish attitude. Cultural exchange fuels the brand, which aims to strike the balance between tradition and modernity, the precise and the relaxed, the bold and the effortless through streetwear collections filled with approachable separates.
Inspiration: The fall 2026 range explores the tension between personal expression and sense of belonging and community via wearable styles that play on simple shapes and eccentric details, ranging from baggy pants to roomy printed shirts, from washed denim to nylon outerwear with an utilitarian vibe and functional details.
Key pieces: Multiple iterations of baggy denim pants, oversize zipped hoodie jackets in checkered patterns and kimono-like styles with side-release buckle details as well as riffs on classic men’s shirts with printed details.
Retail price range: From 30 euros for accessories to 350 euros for outerwear.
Stockists: Munk Store in Denmark; Ahlens in Sweden; Monar in Belgium; Ratti and Nugnes in Italy; Breuninger and Peek & Cloppenburg in Germany.
Promas: Cachí
A look from Cachí’s fall 2026 collection.
Courtesy of Cachí/Oriana Ocalicchio
Founders: Belén Frias and Élise Girault
Year of foundation: 2024
Brand philosophy: The brand blends classic tailoring with its French and Argentine cultural influences. The collections, manufactured in France and neighboring countries, are designed as a cohesive wardrobe, where each piece, regardless of the season, can be worn with the others. Inspired by the founders’ personal stories, the brand explores how fashion can reconnect people and cultures and redefine the value of clothing.
Inspiration: The fall 2026 collection broadens the spectrum of its Franco-Argentine dialogue. This time, the focus is on the intensity of tango, the unique presence of the dancers, and the way in which costumes structure, support and sculpt. The color palette was inspired by the vibrant facades of Buenos Aires’ La Boca neighborhood, evolving from pure white to cobalt blue, and punctuated with shades of pink.
Key pieces: The collection revisits everyday pieces such as shirts, jackets and trousers. High collars, marked cuffs and assertive sleeves give a strong structure to the silhouettes. Every detail seeks to recreate a feeling of standing tall, presenting oneself.
Retail price range: From 195 euros for a T-shirt to 1,390 euros for the tango suit jacket.
Stockists: The brand has a retail presence in China and Japan.
Icex: El Pulpo
A preview look from the El Pulpo men’s fall 2026 ollection.
Courtesy of El Pulpo
Founders: José Antonio Chacón and Jorge Chacón
Year of foundation: 2018
Brand philosophy: The brand’s roots are anchored in Galicia in Spain. From there, it has inherited the deep love for the sea and nature. The ocean, the fresh energy of the Galician rías, and a strong respect for the environment are El Pulpo’s guiding pillars.
Inspiration: A road trip across the Nordic countries is the starting point and creative inspiration for the fall 2026 collection. The prints are born from the observation of the surroundings such as horizons, skies and the soft, ever-changing light. The color palette echoes the distinctive tones of the North: deep blues, muted greens, mineral grays and warm hues. The visual narrative celebrates the balance between design, functionality and the essential strength of the Nordic landscape.
Key pieces: Sweatshirts, hoodies and crewnecks, shirts, tailoring pieces.
Retail price range: From 39.90 euros for T-shirts to 349.90 euros for coats
Stockists: The brand has 29 corners in the Spanish department store chain El Corte Inglés, 20 corners in the department store group Liverpool in Mexico in addition to 300 multi brand points of sale.
Japan Leather Showroom: Regal Shoe & Co.
A design by Regal Shoe &Co.
Courtesy of Regal Shoe &Co.
Founder: L.C Bliss
Year of foundation: 1880
Brand philosophy: The brand is the innovative, fashion-forward arm of Regal, which has its roots in military boot manufacturing and brought the durable Goodyear welt construction method to Japan. The brand’s mission now is to revisit classic leather styles such as loafers and lace-up shoes by integrating functionality and Japanese craftsmanship in its designs.
Inspiration: The collection will build upon the brand’s vision of offering “standards with a twist,” merging deep-rooted heritage with contemporary functionality.
Key pieces: The “Classic x Technology” product lineup updates classic footwear in supple and grained leather or suede by integrating the functionality of Gore-Tex and Vibram soles.
Retail price range: Between 300 euros and 400 euros.
Stockists: Its own flagship in Tokyo’s Shibuya, in addition to the likes of United Arrows, Zabou and Loftman in Japan; Lane Crawford in Hong Kong; Garb Store in the U.K.; Royal Cheese in France; HHV in Germany, and Haven in Canada.
