Though it might feel like the SS20 shows took place about five seconds ago, the AW20 season is almost upon us, with the menswear shows set to kick off in London at the beginning of January. 

Taking place soon after comes the latest edition of Pitti Uomo, the famed Florentine gathering where retailers, editors, and menswear experts come together twice a year. Where last year saw the theme of the event centred around ‘everything clicking into place’, this time around it has been revealed that flags will provide the starting off point for the season’s proceedings. 

Working with the Italian photojournalist Franco Pagetti, renowned for his documentarian-styled images, his photo of a fluttering flag will be brought to life throughout the four-day-long event. Using flags as a symbol of identity, belonging, thought, and feeling, Show Your Flags at Pitti will take place at Florence’s Fortezza da Basso, with art direction by Angelo Figus and set design by Alessandro Moradei.

As the 97th edition of the event, this time around the project will aim to explore the question of what is formal today, with a selection of garments and looks from Italian and international brands being displayed.  

And, when it comes to the AW20 designer line-up, it was revealed earlier this month that New York-based label Telfar, the brainchild of Telfar Clemens and Babak Radboy, has been selected to show as part of Pitti’s ongoing and much-lauded Special Project series. Joining Telfar is Stefano Pilati’s label Random Identities, who is the winter season’s special guest, as well as guest designer Jil Sander, which will show its latest collection at the event. 

Elsewhere, iconic sportswear label Sergio Tacchini, which was beloved by the likes of Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z, and Nas, as well as a host of famed tennis players, will be celebrated with a retrospective dedicated to its legacy. 

With more updates and details due to come in over the coming weeks, you can find more information on Pitti Uomo AW20 here.