With 2007 well and truly under way the first batch of designer shows comes courtesy of Men’s Fashion Week in Milano. Forget the latest spring trends the fash pack have already moved onto Autumn/Winter 2007/08. So far the likes of Burberry, Versace, Missoni, Jil Sander, Costume National and Dolce & Gabbana have revealed their latest ready-to-wear designs. So how are the collections shaping up thus far?

Still dipping his foot in the ‘can do no wrong’ pool Christopher Bailey ticked all the right boxes for Burberry. Key ingredients include 1 part military, 1 part English heritage, 2 parts luxe combined with a dash of English scruff. The result: a fine looking collection of masculine designs that remain on the right side of classic with a great use of tone on tone colour. Note the winning blue, grey combos.

In the trouser department it’s a case of so far so slim - smart lean cuts with not a baggy crotch in sight. Costume National, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry all agree - smart straight-leg pants are the way to go. While Costume National showed us all how to look chic in the cold Dolce & Gabbana gave us a taste of 2001: A Space Odyssey. In amongst the indigo denims and tailored blazers were flashes of shiny metallics and astronaut ensembles. Over at Versace, the smart slick minimal look prevailed while the mood more than hinted at the 1980s. Meanwhile Missoni gave their traditional knits plenty of après-ski appeal with colourful zigzags, stripes and strong graphic shapes many of which, funnily enough, also nodded to the late 1980s.

Coming soon... more Menswear Autumn/Winter 07/08 catwalk reports…

JoJo Iles