French luxury group and Fondazione Pitti immagine discovery are joining forces to promote sustainability. Kering’s Material Innovation Lab, the Milan-based hub for innovation, collaborates for the first time with the Florentine trade show to support young international designers to showcase their innovative, low-impact solutions. Participating brands were selected by journalist and curator Giorgia Cantarini as part of the S/Style Sustainable Style, an exhibition project that since its debut has been key to attracting top international buyers and media representatives. The brands chosen for this 7th edition include Cavia (Italy), Dalpaos (Italy), Dhruv Kapoor (India), Isnurh (Denmark), Jeanne Friot (France), Ksenia Schnaider (Ukraine), Olooh (Côte d’Ivoire), Permu (United Kingdom), Steven Passaro (France), Young n Sang (South Korea).

"The collaboration with Kering’s Material Innovation Lab is an important recognition of the work we are doing to spread a modern culture of responsibility in fashion," said Lapo Cianchi, head of communications and special projects for Pitti Immagine and general secretary of the Fondazione Pitti Discovery. "We are happy because Kering Mil can give designers practical help with getting to know and use the most innovative materials for their research in design at an international level. Thanks to skillful and up-to-date curatorship over the last three years, S|Style has brought to the attention of the Pitti Uomo media and buyers some 40 young designers and emerging brands, each with an original style and a truly fresh approach to issues that are a major concern for the new generation. At the same time, the Discovery Foundation’s mission is precisely to support projects that can grow to become an important part of the programs of Pitti and its shows."

"It’s really hard to be an emerging brand and at the same time be 100% sustainable, but we have to start somewhere," said Giorgia Cantarini, journalist, stylist, and curator of S|Style. "Our partnership with Kering MIL is a concrete milestone to push these promising designers to learn even more about innovative solutions, while offering them the chance to integrate them into their next collection."

Pitti Immagine Uomo
June 13 - 16, 2023
Fortezza da Basso
viale F. Strozzi 1
50123 Firenze
www.uomo.pittimmagine.com

Photo: Kering's Materials Innovation Lab @ Lorenzo Palizzolo. Courtesy of Kering