The 89th edition of the International Fair for Childrenswear, Pitti Bimbo, organised by Pitti Immagine, concluded on Saturday (22 June) at Fortezza da Basso venue.
The event hosted around 603 exhibitors, which included newcomers as well those making comebacks. As per a report by Confindustria Moda for SMI, the Italian Fashion And Textile Industry’s Employers Association, sales for the Italian childrenswear industry rose by 4.2 per cent in 2018, generating a total revenue of nearly €3 billion which was a huge milestone for the industry. This was a big boost for the 3-day event.
Even though the Italian domestic market for the childrenswear registered a decline of 19 per cent, the exports underwent a substantial rise of 8.5 per cent, constituting 40.1 per cent of the revenue.
Owing to the entrance of leading fashion labels, baby apparel exports grew by 24.3 per cent.
The main export destinations for the childrenswear included Europe accounting for 16.4 per cent of the total followed by Spain (12 per cent), Germany (11.2 per cent) and France (9.3 per cent), while exports to Switzerland improved by 13.2 per cent.
Regarding distribution channels, retail chains were positioned as the leading consumer sales outlet for Italian childrenswear, accounting for 49.4 per cent of total sales. Mass market distribution chains experienced the same phenomenon with growing 3.2 per cent, and so did outlet stores, whose sales were up 35.2 per cent. On the contrary, both independent retailers and e-commerce fell by 5.5 per cent and 5.3 per cent, respectively.
The Pitti Special Click was the theme of the 89th edition Pitti Bimbo show, which is composed of the energy circulating around the Fortezza.
Following this economic phenomenon, the 89th Pitti Bimbo show exhibited the latest trends in the market and their current behaviour in sales. Nearly 5,300 buyers from about 60 countries majorly including Russia, Spain, Germany, the UK, China, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine and France participated at the event.
The Kid’s Lab was one of the eminent additions to the show and. Kidswear inclusive of innovations was one of the highlights showcased in five different sections: KidzFizz for experimental fashion; #Activelab for urban athleisure; the incubator section The Nest with its emerging brands; EcoEthic, dedicated to sustainable products; and the Mini Me capsule collections in the Kid’s Evolution section.
The Emporio Armani Junior S/S 2020 collection was amongst the most distinguished debut exhibitors like Araia Kids, G-Star Raw, Jacob Cohen Junior, Lotto, Pinko and TiA CiBANI KiDS and was displayed with a special installation in the Sala della Scherma.
Some of the renowned fashion labels that exhibited at Pitti Bimbo were Dolce & Gabbana Kids, the CWF group with the Little Marc Jacobs, Boss, Karl Lagerfeld and Billieblush labels, C.P. Company Undersixteen, Herno Kids, Miss Blumarine, Monnalisa, Petit Bateau, Philosophy by Lorenzo Serafini, Manila Grace, North Sails and Sundek.
The 89th edition of Pitti Bimbo focused on children’s fashion from Andalusia (with Calatea Kids, Abuela Tata, Beatriz Montenero, Mimosines, Nekena and Babine) and Georgia (Antsi, Giraffe Kids, Eshvinkids and Spillow).
There were also several catwalk shows, including one by the Children’s Fashion From Spain collective and Modaportugal (Cherry Papaya, Knot, Laranjinha, Patachou, Phi Clothing, Piccola Speranza and Play Up).
Tuscan label Monnalisa, for 50 years a leader in premium children’s readymade garments, presented its new Spring/Summer 2020 collection.
