Raf Simons Is Working on Another Special Project for Pitti Uomo

After honoring Raf Simons with his own retrospective in 2005, Pitti Uomo will be celebrating the designer's work once again at its upcoming tradeshow. Simons will also present his fashion show in Florence, instead of Paris Fashion Week, and also has a "special project" in the works.

"Florence holds a special place in my heart as, over the years, I have regularly come back to show my work or to collaborate on ventures that closely mirrored my thoughts about it," said Simons in a statement. "I am thrilled to be there again this season to present my Spring/Summer 2017 collection as well as a special project we are developing especially for Pitti."

In 2003, Simons worked with Pitti to curate "The Fourth Sex. Adolescent Extremes," an exhibition and corresponding book that explored the complexities of youth. Two years later, the designer returned to Pitti to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his brand with a fashion show, a retrospective, and a book release. The last time we saw Simons at the Italian tradeshow was in 2010, when he showed a menswear collection while he was still the creative director for Jil Sander.

“We are both happy and proud that Raf Simons is coming back to Florence,” says Lapo Cianchi, Pitti's director of communications and events. “He has been a leading figure in some of the best events we have produced during Pitti Immagine Uomo over the years..."

This will be the Simons second show since leaving his position at Dior last October. He will join Gosha Rubchinskiy and visvims' Hiroki Nakamura, who will also be presenting at the June edition of the tradeshow.