Pitti Uomo 103: Martine Rose and Jan-Jan Van Essche as Guest Designers

The 103rd edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo will take place from January 10 to 13, 2023, at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence. Anglo-Jamaican designer Martine Rose (born 1980 in Croydon, UK) has been named Guest Designer, while Belgian designer Jan-Jan Van Essche (born 1980 in Antwerp) will serve as Designer Project. Rose, known for her cultural heritage and collaborations with Nike, Napapijri, and Tommy Hilfiger, will present her Fall/Winter 2023 collection at a secret location in Florence. Her career was boosted by Demna Gvasalia, who chose her to co-design Balenciaga's SS17 menswear in 2015. Van Essche, a 2003 graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, champions no-gender, hyper-comfort style. His first collection in 2010 was titled "yukkuri" (Japanese for "take it easy"). Lapo Cianchi, head of communications and special events at Pitti, selected Van Essche for an event on January 11. The fair aims to highlight both artisanal tradition and experimental aesthetics in contemporary menswear.