(3) Fortezza with the Club

Written by David Kopal

I'm excited to pick up our Under the Tuscan Sun series where my friend Gustav left off. Still buzzing with excitement from the Summer Gala, it's now the perfect time to guide you through a day at Pitti Uomo with the Sartorial Club.

This is my fourth time at Pitti, and as a founding member of the club, many fellow members have become good friends. This familiarity allows for more personal conversations, which is one of the aspects I look forward to the most at the fair. One of the best times to do this is every morning before heading to the Fortezza.

David at the morning coffee spot, waiting for other members to join.

Dennise (left), David (middle), and Janne (right) at the Fortezza da Basso.

The Perfect Gathering Spot: Morning Meetups at the Caffé

Traditionally, Sartorial Club members gather in front of the Caffé degli Innocenti, a couple of hundred meters from the Fortezza da Basso, where Pitti Uomo takes place. This gathering is especially wonderful on the first day of the fair, when club members from around the world have just arrived in Florence and are eager to reconnect with old friends, acquaintances, and possibly make new ones. This meetup is even more essential for newcomers who are unfamiliar with the ins and outs of Pitti and don’t know many people there. If it’s your first Pitti, joining the group walk to the Fortezza can be a fantastic start.

The daily gathering in front of the Caffé starts around 10 in the morning. This timing is perfect for me because it allows me to relax in the morning and enjoy breakfast in the streets of Florence. Believe me, waking up early during Pitti is quite rare, at least for me.

As time goes on, more and more Sartorial Club members gather in front of the Caffé, some enjoying coffee or a quick snack. Eventually, the area is filled with well-dressed people chatting and laughing together. It would be a pity not to capture these pre-Pitti moments. Luckily, the Club’s photographer is there and ready to take photos. One of the great advantages of Florence is its abundance of beautiful shooting locations. In other places, you need to carefully consider whether a location is suitable, but in Florence, it's the opposite. The pale-colored buildings with colorful window panes and the marquees of various restaurants and hotels create the perfect backdrop for menswear photos.

Since the Caffé is on one of the main streets leading to the fair, you have a chance to run into other sartorial enthusiasts on their way to Pitti. It’s a strategic spot where you can meet Pitti attendees both from within and outside the Club.

From left to right: Dennise, Isabela, Dan and Janne waiting outside of the caffe for members to arrive.

Journey to Fortezza

After finishing our coffees, it’s time to make our way to Fortezza da Basso. The lively atmosphere of chatting and laughter continues as we approach the gate, where groups of people are engaged in conversations and photographers eagerly await to capture street style moments. Within a few minutes, we enter Fortezza, the longstanding venue of Pitti Uomo.

TSC on the way to Fortezza da Basso

I always cherish the feeling upon entering and seeing the iconic Pitti wall. This time, I was taken aback to find that this renowned wall had been painted yellow, with the usual art installations area transformed into a vast, empty yellow space. It certainly provides a uniquely vibrant backdrop for all the photos taken there.

When our group finally arrives at the Pitti wall, we often realize that many people are missing. This is quite typical because one encounters numerous acquaintances en route to the venue, making it hard not to engage in conversations with old friends. Eventually, however, most of the people who started their journey from the Caffé will reunite amidst the bustling atmosphere of Fortezza.

Walking there as a group has its perks, especially when photographers start snapping photos of you. I won’t deny it—it’s a great feeling. Plus, it’s time for the Sartorial Club photo shoot. The club’s photographer is skilled and knows just where to capture the perfect Pitti pictures within Fortezza. Having professionally taken photos of your Pitti outfits is another great benefit of Sartorial Club membership. It’s satisfying to have high-quality images of each outfit. Even better are the photos with fellow club members.

David’s portrait, captured by the Club’s photographer

Last year, I met Aaron through the club, and we coincidentally wore turquoise trousers on the same day—so a photo together was a must. This year, it was pink trousers again without planning it. Such coincidences deserve to be captured.

You might wonder why I’m going on about photography for so long. Dear reader, that’s just how it goes at Pitti, and trust me, you’d enjoy it too. Don’t blame the players; blame the game.

Group photo at Pitti 106

Lunch or Exploration?

From this point onward, individual Club members typically go their separate ways. Some head to nearby trattorias for lunch. In my experience, it’s hard to find bad pasta in Florence, so you can feel confident eating anywhere. It’s also a great opportunity to discuss lapel widths and other essential menswear topics with fellow Club members.

If you're not hungry yet, you might be tempted to explore the Fortezza's buildings and see what manufacturers have showcased this season. I should note that this can be quite a daunting task, given the sheer number of brands present. It's best to check the list of brands in advance and prioritize which ones you really want to visit.

Alternatively, you can wander through the labyrinthine paths of Pitti and perhaps stumble upon a brand you've never heard of. Most brand representatives are friendly and passionate about their products, so don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with them.

David visiting a booth at Pitti

From Bustling Days to a Serene Evening

As you can tell, Pitti is always more enjoyable when you're surrounded by friends with whom you can share this experience. There's so much to do—people to meet, booths to visit, and photos to capture. However, time at Pitti flies by quickly and can be quite exhausting. By the end of the day at Fortezza, I often feel drained and long to slow down and truly savor the moment.

Luckily, the Club organizes a Black Tie event every Pitti. This time, it was held at the enchanting Villa San Michele, nestled in the hills of Tuscany.

Dinner table ready for the Club, overlooking Florence from Fiesole

In the upcoming piece, my friend Janne will describe the atmosphere of this place where time seems to slow down, allowing for leisurely conversations over delicious meals amidst breathtaking views.

David (left), Janne (middle), and Petr (right) enjoying an aperitivo at the Garden prior to dinner.