Pitti Uomo Magical Tour by F. Guazzelli | Source: Pitti Immagine

LONDON, United Kingdom — Physical trade shows, held over a few days in large exhibition halls, have long been the most effective and efficient way for suppliers to showcase and sell their products to customers. But today, the internet is making it increasingly easy to exchange information and conduct business regardless of physical location. On top of this, with the global economy in a state of turmoil, buyers are being more conservative with their travel budgets, putting new pressure on trade shows to compete for their attention and offer value for money.

In response to these shifts, many of the big trade shows are taking steps to digitally enhance their offerings. But for a system that’s rooted in face-to-face interaction, this presents unique challenges and prompts the inevitable question: can the in-person experience of a trade show ever really be replicated digitally?

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NEW YORK, United States — Over the weekend, Band of Outsiders’ Scott Sternberg put on a lovely low-key show for his two women’s collections —Boy and Girl — underneath The Highline on New York’s West side. But earlier this summer he pulled out all the stops for a spectacular West Side Story-themed show for his Spring/Summer 2012 menswear collection as a special guest designer at the 80th edition of Pitti Uomo in Florence, Italy.

Sternberg’s star has been rising in international fashion circles, despite his having no formal fashion training; despite his decision to base his business in Los Angeles, far from the fashion mainstream; and despite price points that position his collection closer to high-end European brands than the surfeit of lookalike American contemporary brands which also call Los Angeles home.

I caught up with Scott at the gorgeous Villa Cora hotel the day after his Pitti show to understand the thinking behind these strategic decisions and learn more about his plans for the future of Band of Outsiders.

“I’m not saying that I’m never going to do a fashion show again. I’m not saying fashion film is the future. It’s just an idea…and it’s nice to have the option to do both.”

Avant-garde designer Gareth Pugh speaking to BoF founder Imran Amed in Florence, Italy at Pitti Immagine, where he projected a critically acclaimed fashion film on the ceiling of a 14th century church. On Wednesday in Paris, Mr. Pugh will present his A/W 2011 collection in a fashion show, his first since March 2010.

Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011 | Source: Givenchy

Pushing Fashion Boundaries in an Era Without Any (NY Times)
“In some ways, the focus on sexuality reflects the fairly narrow thinking of designers and photographers… the Internet represents a world that is livelier, more daring and actual than what currently takes place on runways and in mainstream magazines.”

Stepping Into the Sole of Luxury (WSJ)
“The U.K.’s reputation for making the finest cars, building the most luxurious ocean liners and running the greatest leading hotels may have waned, but in the county of Northamptonshire… workshops still produce what are regarded by many as the finest gentlemen’s shoes in the world.”

China’s rich: Armani or Vuitton? (FT)
“The country now boasts 1,900 renminbi billionaires – a third more than in 2009, and a stark jump from 24 in 2008 – and 875,000 renminbi millionaires. And so, with increasing numbers of Chinese making more money than they can spend, it’s useful to know: what do they want.”

A New Vision for Lacoste: Felipe Oliveira Baptista (Dazed Digital)
“Four months into his new gig (replacing Christophe Lemaire, who is now at the helm of Hermès), the Paris-based fashion designer sits down with Dazed Digital to talk about his visions for the famous sportswear brand.”

Gareth Pugh Pitti Immagine #79 2011 (SHOWstudio)
“With a collection inspired by religious iconography and Florentine opulence, Gareth Pugh made his Italian fashion debut at Pitti Immagine #79. Showcasing his clothes via a unique fashion film… Pugh melded the grand traditions and art of this ancient city with his own hyper-modern fashion vision.”

Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2010 | Source: Pitti Immagine

MILAN, Italy — This season, BoF dipped its toes a bit deeper into the waters of the Italian men’s fashion scene, starting with Pitti Uomo and moving on to fashion week in Milan. And, as the fashion circus moves on to Paris tomorrow, my fashion fantasies are still lingering on the outstanding presentation by Raf Simons for Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2011 at the stunning Villa Gamberaia just outside Florence. It might not have been particularly wearable, but it certainly left a lasting impression.

Editors and bloggers were out in full force to see Mr. Simons’ pops of colour, which Tommy Ton aptly described—in the words of Michael Roberts, he was careful to point out—as a bit of sorbet to “cleanse the palate” before the start of the season. Tim Blanks called it “a synthetic sundae.” And afterwards, Susie Bubble was practically reeling from the sensory overload created by the combination of fluorescent colour-blocking, the setting sun, a looming rainstorm and those sweet flashes of colour below the classic shoes.

Describing the collection, Raf Simons told BoF that it was “A celebration of colour; a tribute to the vibrancy of extreme tropical nature, with colours that were brighter than ever before, renewing the summer wardrobe and subverting the codes of formal tailoring.” Indeed, it was a refreshing and promising start for the men’s season which had just begun.

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