Seamless

5: Crossing the threshold

Science fiction is fast becoming science fact.

Moving into the extraordinary

‘So, when is the next Pitti Uomo, and how do we coordinate with Gustaf's wedding plans?' The question surprises me as it comes from my mother's mouth as we walk down from the big road on Färingsö, outside of Stockholm, towards my parents' house. This 1.2-kilometre road was unpaved when I was a child and spending my summers at what is colloquially known as ‘Svartsjölandet', and it used to seem eternal as we walked it to collect my grandfather, Per, on his arrival home from Georg Sörman in the late afternoons. It was a road I had walked holding my mother's hand many times. But now, our grip on the future seemed further cemented. She seemingly wanted to plan six months into the future and ensure she would see the following year's collection, and seemed to be acknowledging that Pitti would become a central pillar in the yearly rhythm.

After refusing to come to the January 2014 Pitti Uomo, my mother had finally visited Florence and Pitti with me in June 2014. The event had made an impression on Mum as we secured new vendors that were aligned with the renaissance direction of our family brand's strategy, and Mum was genuinely excited about the future possibilities and promising new collaborations with brands like Barbour, Eton, Filson, Woolrich and Derek Rose. We had mingled with textile greats and icons in castles and estates, enjoyed great bonding dinners, and sipped cocktails ...