The 86th edition of Pitti Bimbo ended on an extremely positive note this past 20 January, after three days of full immersion dedicated to creativity, business and innovation. Some of the most important international and Italian children’s fashion buyers came to the Fortezza da Basso in Florence to view the new winter proposals of 578 brands.

The final attendance figures, in fact, recorded a +2.5% compared to a year ago in buyer attendance numbers, with an increase of around 1% in foreign buyers and growth of +3.5% for the Italian market: in total there were 6,870 registered buyers (compared to 6,700 a year ago), and there were over 10,000 visitors overall during the three days of the fair.

Among the most reactive markets we find Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Brazil and Turkey. The fair’s top 15 reference markets in fact show Russia at the top (271 buyers), followed by Spain (203), the United Kingdom (184), Germany (148), Turkey (103) Ukraine (102), Holland (96), China (95), France (87), Greece (69), the United States (54), Belgium (52), Japan (48), Switzerland (47) and Portugal (47).

“Pitti Bimbo once again recorded the energy and optimism being displayed by international childrenswear – says Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine – an edition marked by satisfaction and positive appreciation for the creativity of our companies’ collections, the quality of the buyers who travelled from over 60 different countries, the investment in projects dedicated to the new children’s lifestyle worlds and the services at the market.  The growing attendance of countries that are important for kids’ fashion was undoubtedly very significant – Russia once again showed its specific weight and rediscovered dynamism which is totally reassuring for the whole industry – but the increase in Italian buyers was also a decidedly important sign for domestic consumption.  The new projects launched at this edition – like the #Activelab section and the new Nice Licensing area dedicated to entertainment licenses – as well as the positive feedback received for the research and lifestyle areas of the fair, together with the program of special events scheduled, confirm once again that Pitti Bimbo is the most important platform for the business and communication of international childrenswear. To conclude I should add a positive note about the showrooms present at the fair – over 40 spaces where companies were able to meet in private with their best clients – which worked really well on all three days of the fair”.