Fashion never slows down. That much is certain. Rest is simply not part of the industry’s vocabulary, which is why, barely two weeks after the close of fashion month, attention has already shifted to the next key dates on the menswear calendar. And today, one of the season’s first major announcements has arrived: Simone Rocha has been confirmed as the guest designer for the 110th edition of Pitti Uomo, set to take place, as ever, in Florence.
The renowned trade fair will run from 16 to 19 June 2026, acting as the prelude to Milan Men’s Fashion Week. At the heart of this upcoming edition, the Irish designer, based in London, will stage a special show — a milestone for a creative whose singular vision has long set her apart.
Reflecting on the invitation, Rocha said: “I would like to thank Pitti Uomo for their generous invitation to present my first independent menswear show on the men’s calendar. I am excited to share the length and breadth of my menswear proposition, especially with the backdrop of beautiful Florence. I look forward to a new chapter in my work and world, playing with tradition and exploring new ground. I approach it with authenticity and vulnerability, seriousness and playfulness.”
Meanwhile, from the Pitti Immagine side, Francesca Tacconi, Special Events Coordinator, expressed her excitement for Rocha’s debut in Florence: “From the very beginning, Simone Rocha’s garments capture the eye, ignite the imagination, and stir emotions. At a time when part of menswear seems to be leaning toward more cautious stylistic choices, Simone remains true to herself and to her vision. Hers is a reflection on intimacy that stems from personal roots and connections, Ireland, Hong Kong, art, and family. It is a sensory journey to be worn beyond time, a short circuit combination of the speed of the present and the distant past, Gothic novella and cult sportswear.”
She continued: “Simone Rocha does not follow trends; she creates them and draws us into her world. In a fully crossover logic, her looks emerge, always unmistakable, disobedient to the rules of pairings and registers, of eras and gender distinctions, of proportions and décor. To her modern Narcissus she gives, alongside an elegance of almost Victorian obsession, a strong heart, always balanced between poetry and freedom, passion and discipline, fairy tale and transgression. We are eager to be surprised by Simone and by what she is planning for her Florentine debut next June.”
Anticipation is already mounting. With her reputation as one of Britain’s most acclaimed and internationally celebrated designers, Rocha’s appearance at Pitti Uomo marks a major new step — and one that promises to inject fresh energy into the menswear conversation. The countdown begins.
