Pitti Filati 98 returns to Florence, at the Fortezza da Basso, from 21 to 23 January 2026. During the three days of the event, which takes place simultaneously with Pitti Immagine Uomo 109 and Pitti Immagine Bimbo 102, designers, artisans, stylists and visionaries will meet to explore the future of knitwear and textile design.
Among the stands at the event, visitors will be able to discover new collections of soft, sustainable, technological yarns in colours that anticipate the seasons and textures that invite touch.
The debut of Spazio Ricerca
“Link” is the main theme of the new Spazio Ricerca, curated by Angelo Figus together with Carrie Hollands (knitwear and yarns director) and Manuela Sandroni (general coordinator). It is a fluid journey through the history of signs and ink, which, as a primordial art form, has reached the present day and is projected towards the future. Curated with an artistic flair, this area of Pitti Filati 98 is the beating heart of the exhibition. Here, conceptual installations and multisensory mood boards translate trends into experiences. All in line with the 2026 theme inspired by sustainability and circularity, with a focus on regenerated materials, natural dyes and ethical production processes.
At Pitti Filati 98 Link is the connection to the ancestral, the relationship with the present, the transfer to the future, the unbreakable bond between peoples, epochs and eras. The first tattoos date back to around 5000 years ago. Designs that served therapeutic, social, magical or simply aesthetic purposes. Over the centuries, this practice has undergone transformations, becoming more decorative and personal forms of art. A journey from the most ancestral tradition to the new contemporary masters. Pitti Filati in January is dedicated to these visual codes, exploring and interpreting the new signs and designs of our times.
But Pitti Filati 98 is not just for professionals. It is a space where fashion is expressed in all its nuances. And where the programme of talks and workshops open to the public offers a glimpse behind the scenes of the creative process. Meanwhile, collaborations with fashion schools and textile start-ups bring a breath of fresh air and experimentation.
How it went in July
As we wait to discover Pitti Filati 98 – https://filati.pittimmagine.com/it, let’s take a look at the results of the 97th editionof Pitti Filati, which took place from 1 to 3 July. Over 3,300 brands crowded the spaces, of which approximately 1,700 came from over 50 countries (representing 51% of the total), numbers that remained at the same high levels as a year ago. Meanwhile, Italian brands recorded a slight decline.
Among foreign markets, Europe recorded significant growth, especially France (+21%), Great Britain (+8.5%) and Germany (+6%), followed by Spain, Portugal and Switzerland. Outside Europe, Japan performed very well (+15%), followed by China and Hong Kong.