Pitti Immagine Uomo 110, taking place in Florence, Italy from June 16 to 19, has announced that Korean designer Jiyong Kim will join its special events program as a featured guest designer.
During the event, Jiyong Kim will present the universe of his brand, JiyongKim, through a specially conceived project-based exhibition. The project will be realized with the support of Fondazione Pitti Discovery and the Korea Creative Content Agency.
Jiyong Kim is recognized as one of the standout talents of the 2024 LVMH Prize, earning international acclaim for his experimental approach and distinctive aesthetic. Rather than relying on traditional runway formats, the brand has consistently explored the conceptual value and temporality of garments through installations and exhibition-based presentations. This upcoming project is also expected to adopt an interactive format, allowing visitors to engage with the work across space and time.
Commenting on the occasion, Jiyong Kim stated, “Being invited as a special guest at Pitti Uomo this coming June is both an honor and a meaningful moment for us. At JiyongKim, we do not see clothing as a fixed result, but as something that evolves through time and exposure. Our ‘Sun-Bleach’ process allows natural forces to shape each piece, leaving behind marks that cannot be controlled or replicated.
For this project, rather than presenting a single moment, we are interested in creating an exhibition where garments, space, and time can unfold together. Moving away from a traditional runway format, we aim to offer a more immersive and layered experience.
Through this exhibition, we hope to present work that continues to respond to its surroundings and remains open to change over time.”
Irreversible Traces of Time Through “Sun-Bleach”
The brand’s signature “Sun-Bleach” technique eliminates chemical treatments, instead exposing fabrics to natural elements such as sunlight, wind, rain, and snow. Over time, this process produces unique textures and tonal variations shaped by the environment.
Garments created through this method are inherently one-of-a-kind and irreproducible, visualizing both the cycle of nature and the accumulation of time. Combined with reconstructed vintage materials and advanced pattern-making, the result is menswear that balances functionality with sculptural form.
Francesca Tacconi, Special Events Coordinator of Pitti Immagine, commented on the selection: “Our interest in JiyongKim’s work began almost as soon as he debuted, but has since consolidated in recent seasons, thanks to the originality of his reflections on fashion and the method he adopts in designing his garments. His style ranges from technical experimentation to a a refined play of contrasts, from “Sun-Bleach” to sophisticated pattern making.”
She also emphasized the importance of introducing a new perspective—what she described as “a second life of materials”—highlighting its relevance in connecting sustainability with the concept of time in contemporary fashion.
Jiyong Kim’s approach extends beyond design innovation, representing an inquiry into the very nature of clothing itself. By framing garments not as finished products but as evolving processes, the brand offers a new perspective aligned with the growing importance of sustainability and circular thinking.
In addition to Jiyong Kim, this season’s Pitti Uomo will also feature guest designers including Dover Street Market’s Kei Ninomiya, Simone Rocha, and Sunflower.
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