Soshi Otsuki, designer and founder of his namesake label SOSHIOTSUKI, has been announced as the Guest Designer for Pitti Immagine Uomo 109, taking place in Florence from January 13 to 16, 2026. The designer will present his Fall Winter 2026 menswear collection through a special runway show, marking his first major presentation in Italy.
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Fresh from winning the 2025 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, Otsuki also created the outfit featured in the campaign for the upcoming Pitti Uomo edition, underscoring his role in defining the event’s visual identity. The collaboration signals a recognition of his distinctive voice in contemporary menswear, shaped by his precise tailoring, cultural awareness, and subtle reinterpretation of tradition.
Pitti Immagine describes Otsuki’s appointment as the result of a natural connection formed during a visit to his Tokyo studio. Francesca Tacconi, Special Events Coordinator at Pitti Immagine Uomo, praised Otsuki’s “ambitious clarity,” describing his work as a dialogue between Japanese tradition and modern tailoring. Tacconi framed SOSHIOTSUKI’s design philosophy as “Made in Japan filtered through the lens of Made in Italy,” drawing parallels to the 1980s “baburu keiki” era when Japanese men adopted Italian tailoring.
For Otsuki, the appointment carries a personal resonance. Reflecting on his early experiences in Italy, he recalls competing in an Italian design contest fifteen years ago without success. “At the time, I felt that Japan’s somber atmosphere did not belong under the bright Italian sky,” he said. “Now, more than a decade later, I am deeply honored to be able to present a show here in Florence. I am curious and excited to see how SOSHIOTSUKI’s clothing will resonate under the Italian sky today.”
Founded in 2015, SOSHIOTSUKI has built a distinct language rooted in Otsuki’s fascination with Japan’s classical performing arts, translated through refined tailoring and artisanal techniques. The designer’s attention to structural detail and proportion has shaped a body of work that feels both experimental and deeply considered. His collections often reinterpret traditional forms with precision and respect, transforming them into modern expressions of menswear.
Otsuki’s trajectory has been defined by steady recognition. His second collection was selected for the 2016 LVMH Prize, followed by the Tokyo New Designer Award in 2019. This year’s LVMH Prize marks a pivotal moment, positioning him among the most acclaimed new voices in fashion.
