Taiwan's Porter International enters Italian market at Pitti Uomo

Porter International, the Taiwanese label known for its functional backpacks and shoulder bags, has entered the Italian market with a debut pop-up at Flow Store in Florence, coinciding with the 108th edition of Pitti Uomo. 'Italy is a key part of our international growth strategy,' said founder and owner Andy Lin in an interview with FashionNetwork.com.
The Florence activation marks the brand's first move toward adapting its offering to European consumers and sets the stage for further expansion across the region. 'While directly operated stores are part of our long-term plan, our current priority is building strong partnerships with local retailers,' Lin added.
Founded in 2001, Porter International has established itself as one of Taiwan's most iconic accessories brands, widely recognized for its bestselling New Heat collection. 'It's been our top performer for more than two decades. We've refined the design over time-based on customer feedback to match evolving lifestyles,' Lin said.
To mark its Italian debut, the brand unveiled an exclusive preview of the New Heat collection in a new Deep Blue colorway. The updated line will be available starting in October at twelve select retailers across Italy, including stores in Florence, Milan, Genoa, Brescia, and La Spezia.
Spanning backpacks, shoulder bags, totes and messenger styles, the New Heat pieces are made from high-density nylon, featuring seatbelt-inspired straps and details. Inspired by New York City police uniforms, each bag includes an original flashlight imported from the U.S. and a detachable leather keychain.
Globally, Porter International operates across six countries, with distribution via 21 multi-brand stockists and 86 standalone stores, including shop-in-shops in major department stores. The brand plans to open another store this June, followed by three more in Taiwan by the end of 2025.
'Taiwan is undergoing a decade of major retail expansion, particularly in the department store sector, and we're excited to grow alongside that momentum,' Lin said. 'We also intend to increase our presence in China with more store openings by the end of 2025.'
Although the company does not disclose its revenue, Lin described 2023 as a high-growth year. 'By contrast, 2024 has been more challenging, with sales down about 5% year-on-year. However, our department store business has remained relatively stable.'
Despite ongoing macroeconomic pressures, the brand continues to perform strongly in its core markets—Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. 'We remain confident in meeting our 2025 goals,' Lin concluded.

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