The decade began with the inevitable closing of the Sala Bianca, but there was no time for regrets. One after the other, the fairs opened in the new pavilions at the Fortezza da Basso, which would become the hallmark of the Made in Italy shows. 

The competition showed its strength and it became necessary to upgrade the company's organization. In 1983 the CFMI created the Centro Moda Srl that would organize business and activities. It was period of testing and continuous challenges with the often unpredictable clothing and textile markets. 

A new, decisive turn was in the offing and it was the heads of the CFMI who wanted to involve the major movers of the Italian fashion industry in the management of the fairs: Marco Rivetti, the CEO of GFT who had invented the extraordinary concept of industry/designers arrived in Florence in 1987. Pitti Immagine special event strategy began. In 1988 the Centro Moda changed its name and identity and became Pitti Immagine. Vittorio Rimbotti became president of the CFMI in 1989.

Photo: Stand GFT, Fortezza da Basso, 1987