Pitti Uomo in full swing: Day Two

Although some looked remarkably chipper, several were questioning the wisdom of the arranging such early morning appointments with suppliers. Nevertheless the mood at the show was surprisingly optimistic among the UK retailers who had flown in the previous afternoon, despite the tough 2007 and predictions of a difficult year ahead.

Department store buyers told Drapers that trade over autumn on menswear had been fine or even good and so were feeling optimistic about next autumn.

Indies, absent on the first morning did turn out for the second day, although mostly the usual faces. Whether they found much to shout about at the show remains to be seen however, with most of the big tailoring brands playing it safe. There were also suggestions that some absent buyers thought next week's Bread and Butter in Barcelona offered a better chance of finding that new winning brand.

Pitti Uomo in general was busy, with the continuing dull weather failing to dampen the buzz at the show. The new womenswear section, Pitti W Woman Pre-collection, just around the corner from the main show at the Fortezza da Basso, was also well attended, with many of the 40 or so exhibitors surprised at the footfall and attention they were receiving.

However, with the majority of visitors to the womenswear section being domestic, and many brands not set up to sell in the UK, it was mostly an opportunity for brands to expand their business in Italy and the US.

Suppliers at Pitti Uomo were a little cautious, and although pleased to see that some UK buyers had made the trip, were still unsure about how their order books would look by the end of the selling season.