A Couple of Days In Florence
Once again, it was time for a trip to Florence for the 106th edition of the classic menswear trade show, Pitti Uomo. Buyers from all over the world gather here to see what's new and keep a finger on the pulse of the menswear industry.
For our team, it's no longer just about placing orders and buying goods. Instead, it's a valuable opportunity to catch up with friends and collaborators. The trade show itself isn't as significant for us as it once was; we now conduct most of our business in showrooms around town and in Irish pubs late in the evening.
(Yes, you read that right: Irish pubs in one of the most culturally important and beautiful cities in the world...)
For once, we managed to find a direct flight from Oslo to Florence, which was a pleasant surprise, as the usual route involves a stop in Milan or Rome, often with a layover in Frankfurt or Copenhagen. This time, however, we were delighted with our direct flight and settled down at Oslo Airport to grab a pint and get in the zone.
Halfway through our pint, we received word that our flight had been rerouted to Pisa due to weather conditions in Florence. The short runway in Florence makes the airport rather unreliable. Well, things happen! We finished our pints and boarded the plane.
We had reservations at one of our favorite Florentine restaurants, and it looked like we might still make it. As we were about to land, the captain announced that buses had been arranged to take us from Pisa to Florence. There was only one catch: "In my experience, these buses are likely to be substantially delayed, and you can expect to arrive in Florence just in time for bed."
As we landed in Pisa, we hustled to the taxi stand, determined to skip the bus and have time for a meal before bed. This is why it's crucial to know how to pack a carry-on suitcase—you don't want to check in your luggage and risk further delays. Fortunately, we found a car that could take us to Florence. Despite arriving two hours later than planned, we still made the last seating at Cammillo.
Cammillo has been a favorite of ours since our first visit many years ago. Operating since 1945, it serves traditional Florentine cuisine in an unpretentious and casual atmosphere. The signature dish of Florence is the T-bone steak, known as the Bistecca Fiorentina, which Cammillo excels at. The restaurant is also connected to the renowned Antinori family, making the wine list well worth exploring.
On Monday, our first order of business was to take some pictures of our team while exploring the city. Although we've been attending Pitti Uomo in Florence for over a decade, we often overlook the chance to enjoy this beautiful historic city.
Our apartment was conveniently located near the train station, so we began our day with a stroll down Via Della Scala. This street is home to the famous Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, an 800-year-old manufacturer of luxury fragrances and skincare products. It's well worth a visit to admire the beautiful old space and its well-preserved fresco paintings. For film buffs, this is where Dr. Lecter has his custom hand cream made in the 2001 film 'Hannibal,' directed by Ridley Scott.
Continuing down the street, we arrived at Piazza Santa Maria Novella, where we found the beautiful Gothic Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Its characteristic Renaissance facade, made from black and white marble, is stunning.
From there, we made our way along the banks of the Arno River, enjoying the view of another landmark, the Ponte Vecchio. Eventually, we arrived at Piazza della Signoria, home to the Palazzo Vecchio, known for its central tower. (Another point of interest for film enthusiasts: "Bowels in, or bowels out?") The square also hosts a beautiful collection of statues, including the Fountain of Neptune and a reproduction of Michelangelo's famous David.
Nearby, the Uffizi Gallery, considered the most important art gallery in Italy, houses a remarkable collection of priceless art, much of it from the Italian Renaissance.
After a few hours of shooting and sightseeing, it was time for lunch. Florence boasts many beautiful gardens, but unfortunately, most of them are private and not accessible to the public. Fortunately, one of these beautiful gardens is owned by the Four Seasons Hotel. The hotel is everything you would expect, with multiple bars and restaurants on the estate, including one by the pool in the garden. We sat down to enjoy a lovely lunch and a midday cocktail.
Afterwards, we took a walk around the picturesque garden and shot some more pictures. As everyone knows, the Four Seasons is not cheap. When we inquired about the price to use the pool as non-guests, we decided to take our swimming trunks elsewhere. Luckily, as we were about to leave the hotel, we were invited to join some friends at their hotel, one of the few in Florence that actually has a pool, Hotel Glance. We had not carried around our swimwear in vain.
We spent the afternoon by the pool, catching up with old friends and discussing interesting ideas for the future. Florence can get quite warm in the summer, so having access to a pool made our stay much more enjoyable. Although we were a bit late in making reservations, fortunately, our friends were not!
Soon, it was time for dinner at Antico Ristoro di Cambi, a classic Florentine restaurant known for its informal and laid-back atmosphere. We dined on the outside terrace, enjoying the pleasant evening as the weather cooled down.
We started our Tuesday morning with Kenji and Tomoko of Sevenfold Srl, renowned for their immaculate artisanal ties made entirely by hand in the heart of Florence. Meeting with them is always a pleasure, as they have a keen eye for fabrics and intricate details. Kenji Kaga embodies Florentine style with a touch of Tokyo, always impeccably dressed yet effortlessly relaxed. We selected a range of ties for our Cavour Sartoria line for Spring and Summer 2025.
Afterwards, we caught up with our dear friend Andreas Weinås from Sweden. We managed to squeeze in a quick photoshoot with him, showcasing his favorite Cavour pieces.
Next, we met with Fox Brothers, the storied English mill famous for their superior flannels and tweeds, owned and operated by Mr. Douglas Cordeaux. We spent some time with Douglas, his son Monte, and Patrick, the head of sales. We explored their vast archive of fabrics and initiated an exciting project for Fall/Winter 2025—more details on that later this year.
We then headed to the Plaza Uomo event, hosted by Erik Mannby, Christopher Östlund, and their team. This event has become a Pitti Uomo institution, held twice a year in the beautiful garden of Palazzo Budini Gattai. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet others in the menswear industry from around the world.
After spending some time at the Plaza Uomo event, we invited the guys from Fox Brothers, Andreas, and our favorite Neapolitan trouser maker, Salvatore Ambrosi to join us for dinner. This time, we dined at Ristorante il Parione, a typical Florentine restaurant that has been in business for 50 years.
As we entered the restaurant, we found ourselves standing in the midst of a bustling kitchen, immediately enveloped by the tantalizing scents of traditional Tuscan cooking, open flame grilling, and the lively chatter of chefs. We were greeted by the owner and guided down to the wine cellar, where our table was surrounded by a vast selection of Tuscany’s finest wines, set beneath an arched ceiling. It was a memorable experience, and one I highly recommend if you find yourself in Florence.
After dinner and small glasses of grappa, we headed to The Fiddler's Elbow, a popular Irish bar located at Piazza Santa Maria Novella, to catch up with more friends from the industry. We all agreed that we had taken enough pictures for one day and decided to put the cap on the lens here.
Come Wednesday morning, it was time for us to head back to Oslo and resume our regular schedule at our Oslo store and with our online business. The biannual trip to Florence and Pitti Uomo is always refreshing, allowing us to stay updated on industry trends and meet new people.
