Smile Market at Stazione Leopolda
Fashion, solidarity, and a photography exhibition on Eritrea, from December 5 to 8 in Florence
Thousands of clothing items and accessories, a team made up entirely of volunteers, and an exceptional location such as Florence's Stazione Leopolda. This is the beating heart of the Smile Market, scheduled from Friday, December 5, to Monday, December 8, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.: a long weekend dedicated to Christmas shopping with an eye on solidarity and stories from afar.
Now in its 14th edition between Florence and Rome, the initiative—which began in the Tuscan capital ten years ago—has already attracted over 10,000 visitors in the past, establishing itself as one of the most anticipated charity events of the winter season.
Smile Market Once again this year, some of the biggest names in fashion have chosen to support Smile Market. Brands such as Guess, Liu Jo, Blumarine, Steve Madden, Dixie, Ottodame, Antony Morato, and many others are offering new clothing and accessories, allowing visitors to find great bargains while contributing to the association's charitable projects.
The proceeds will fund the activities of Smile Project ODV, led by Elsa Michael: Eritrean by birth but Florentine by adoption, a top model in the 1980s and then a fashion manager. For over a decade, Michael has been the driving force behind fundamental initiatives in her country of origin: from orphanages to vocational training centers for single mothers, to the creation of facilities dedicated to the blind and deaf-mute.
To enrich the weekend, on the same days and at the same times as the market, the photographic exhibition Di luce e polvere (Of Light and Dust) will be presented for the first time in Florence. Eritrea in the photographs of Alessandro Moggi, with free admission. An intimate and sober visual journey that tells the story of a distant country through plays of light, intense faces, everyday gestures, and the dust of its streets. A silent but powerful narrative, capable of restoring atmosphere and depth to a reality that is still little known, inviting the public to look beyond stereotypes.