The international menswear scene is gearing up for an unmissable new event centered on exploration and cultural fusion. For its 111th edition, taking place in Florence from January 12 to 15, 2027, Pitti Immagine Uomo has announced its next Guest Designer: Kartik Research. Founded in 2021 in New Delhi by young designer Kartik Kumra, the brand will showcase its vision through a special project-event on Wednesday, January 13.

Reinterpreting Craftsmanship in Contemporary Menswear

The brand has rapidly gained a global audience and draws inspiration from India’s rich subcultures, exploring themes of heritage and aspiration through its collections. Kartik Research collaborates closely with master artisans to revive forgotten Indian crafts. Its offering seamlessly bridges handmade techniques with a modern, cosmopolitan aesthetic. The core tenet of Kartik Research is to reintroduce humanness into clothing; each item of clothing has a handmade touch. The pieces feature a reversion to old-world craftsmanship, with wovens being produced on handlooms and the embroideries being done by hand.

Francesca Tacconi, Special Events manager at Pitti Immagine, noted: "The invitation to Kartik Research as a special guest stems from the interest sparked by his reflection on fashion. It is a spontaneous approach that looks at craftsmanship as a living language and a forge of new perspectives, far from any nostalgic celebration. Sharply contemporary silhouettes define a project fueled by the encounter between historical expertise and present sensitivity. Here, craft reveals itself as genuine cultural capital: India's techniques and fabrics burst into the global debate, breaking free from an exotic frame to assert intellectual and creative authority."

Exploring the Historical Connection Between Indian Textiles and Florence

For his part, Kartik Kumra expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity and offered a glimpse into the concept behind the upcoming Florentine show: "I am really grateful to the Pitti Immagine team for this opportunity. Looking at the creatives who have taken part in the guest designer program over the years, being on this list is something special and certainly not taken for granted. For us, it is a chance to keep growing as we always have, letting the world around us guide our work in new directions. This season, our focus is on the ancient connection between Indian textiles and Florence, the journey of Indian fabrics orchestrated by Florentine merchants that came to form part of the visual and aspirational language associated with the city today. It is wonderful to return to that exchange, this time in the opposite direction. Participating in Pitti Uomo represents an incredible opportunity for an independent brand like ours, and we are thrilled, and perhaps a bit overwhelmed, to bring Kartik Research to Florence."

With a distinctive style that combines hand-crafted fabrics with modern tailoring, the brand’s presentation in January promises to be one of the highlights of the trade fair.

Pitti Immagine Uomo 111
January 12 - 15, 2027
Fortezza da Basso, Florence