Frogs the size of a small house, a real gondola afloat in a pool, jaunty yellow beach umbrellas and a flower shed are a few of the sights that entertained attendees at the recent Pitti Bimbo (June 29-July 1, 2007) show in Florence.

For the first time, one large area of the Main Pavilion was dedicated to "green" collections. The seven lines that displayed their goods in the "EcoEthic" section, employed organic materials and "use an ethical production chain and protect manufacturing microcosms."

ECOETHICS

Picking goods while they're green.

Babaloo's statement of intent. The company provides jobs and supports a community of 700 female victims of the war in Bosnia.

NEW VIEW

In the Padiglione Centrale's New View section retailers were welcomed with beach scenes and sunny yellow umbrellas.

Expect sunshine all day.

Bringing the beach inside.

Manufacturers in the New View area offered small, esoteric collections that reflected their designers' visions rather than a compilation of the season's trends.

Newcomer Bonnie Young shows black, white and lots of daisies.

Some like it hot: The brights are in at Caterina Zangrando.

Someone at Moleke likes ruffles.

Beautiful goods reflect ethical manufacturing at Sewa.

HEAVY HITTERS

Established manufacturers of multi-piece, high-end collections exhibited in Pitti Bimbo's Area Monumentale where they created little worlds within their showrooms.

The most elaborate setting belonged to the I Pinco Pallino collection. To reach the Sala Ottagonale rotunda where the line was shown, one walked through a brick covered alleyway, over a little bridge and into a structure that felt as if it had stood rooted in its spot for hundreds of years. The mood inside was festive, with lighthearted floral garments, a patriotic red, white a blue line and a stunning group of glimmering metallic dresses and separates.

Clothing abloom.

Looking in.

To arrive at the Patrizia Pepe line, one walked up a long flight of stone steps to reach the expansive, loft like Sala della Scherma. Like the collection, the setting was light and airy.

Modern clothing met antiquity in the Sala della Scherma.

Photos courtesy of Guazzelli

Originally published July 23, 2007