What It’s Like To Be An American In Europe During Fashion Week

It’s impossible to miss an American during Fashion Week in Europe. As an American, I can confirm this. Last week, men in Florence dressed to the nines – or even the tens – had gathered for Pitti Uomo. I missed the street-style memo.

The world’s most stylish men strutted from dusk to dawn in outfits that were beyond my imagination (or budget), and I loved it. Each day, when the members of the media entered the Fortezza da Basso, they were welcomed by polite and calm photographers. A tall, thin paparazzo might say, “I’m from, and I love your outfit.” Can I take your photo? No name spelling is required. For the average influencer, this is nothing new, but it was a pretty cool experience for a fashion journalist who is used to having their head cut out in street-style photos. A press office was located beyond the check-in desks for editors covering the shows. The lounge was at the top of the winding cobblestone staircase. It had wifi that worked, unlike the rest of Europe. There were also staff on hand to serve you water and espresso. This area was primarily used to listen to conversations, answer emails from New York, and locate invitations to my next fashion show.

Le-sigh, they are still required at European fashion shows. Italian servers with bow ties would pass through crowds while waiting for an event and hand out glasses of red wine. They thanked the editors for their patience and told them to have fun at the event. The interiors of the venues are historic and Instagrammable and have enough space to stretch and relax. The Pitti Uomo shows were incredibly streamlined. I believe I know why. We didn’t need to wait for celebrities in the front rows to begin the show. There were few celebrities. Fashion week is finally about clothes. After each day’s shows, editors and models would spread the word about where they were meeting for their cocktail receptions and dinners. Caffe Gilli is the hotspot of Pitti Uomo, as drink tickets are required for every Aperol. The night scene at Pitti Uomo was as stylish and intimidating for me, who had only brought along a carry-on of staples for my wardrobe. Imagine that you are in Italy.

The men look well-dressed and well-behaved. You’re waiting to awaken from your dream. Pitti Uomo is the real deal. Italians are the best when it comes to fashion week formats ( or tiramisu). The central hub, where buyers, editors and stylists could gather and view the latest offerings from designers and retailers around the world, was interrupted every few hours by a fuss-free show in a gothic cathedral. The numbers are not lying. Pitti Uomo, despite the fact that the designers chose to play it safe with their presentations and refrain from using fashion as a way to comment on politics, decided to focus on the art. The conversation that has plagued New York for seasons was rehashed: Will New York get its groove back again? It’s not fake news that designers are flocking to Europe to showcase their collections. The Europeans could teach Americans a few things about dressing well, just like the men who appear in the next slideshow did.