Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

The autumn/winter 08 menswear collection has kicked off with some very interesting, manly, looks. And with hot trends like capes, chunky knits and tailored jackets, the boys are definitely going to be heating things up this winter.

Warm and cosy with Dolce and Gabbana
The dynamic Italian fashion duo, Dolce and Gabanna wowed audiences with their collection that hinted at a winter filled with warm woolly jackets, poor-boy caps and D&G's trademark luxurious feel.

With the exception of a closing passage of pared-to-the-bone eveningwear with narrow-collared shirts, velour suit, skinny ties and lapel-less waistcoats, the duo pumped up the volume with extravagantly oversized jumbo sweaters, often teamed with ankle-ribbed pants. The result was an irresistible combination of glamour and comfort.

There was a decidedly homespun feel to the fashion houses's bulky-silhouetted collection with huge sheepskin coats or jackets, while gilets looked snug over big-knit baggy jumpers in misty blues and greys.

Fabrics like jersey, corduroy and velvet and the rustic touches like breeches, riding pants, tweed and houndstooth had a gutsy energy and made for an exceptional collection.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

The Cardigan reigns at Missoni
Angela Missoni's collection had a distinct confidence and contemporary, casual feel to it. Filled with Missoni's signature stripes and relaxed shades, models strutted down the runway in double-breasted jackets, belted blazers and chunky knit cardigans.

The love affair with the humble cardi reigned supreme and epitomised the effortless look of luxury that is Missoni.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

Russian rocking at Gucci
This season it's tortured souls for the Gucci guys. Designer Frida Giannini's collection had a 'Russian Rock' feel and a revolutionary air with rakish models strutting down the runway with mussed hair and smudged eyeliner.

Crushed velvet suits, folk-print silk scarves, brass-buttoned military jackets and strips of studded leather all featured. In tones of teal, rust, chestnut and brick-red, super-luxurious cashmere overcoats with fur trims, aviators and python-skin framed bags complimented the boho-feel.

The skinny rock god tailoring and sexy leather bombers were reminders that the Gucci guy is a rebel with a cause – and one who's sexy as hell.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

Moschino goes 1950's glam rock
With a quirky take on evening suits, Moschino gave a nostalgic nod to the rock 'n' roll icons of the Fifties, with it's cape bejewelled corsages, jaunty bow ties, trilby hats and cummerbunds in eye-popping colours.

Evening suits got a quirky makeover with shimmering shades, adorned with sequins and plaid and casual wear glittered and were reworked with a punk-like safety pin detail. Violet suits, purple metallic shoes and fuchsia pink driving gloves contributed to the collection's retro yet playful appeal. Fun and fabulous.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

Cavalli delights the senses
Roberto Cavalli said "The time for blatant masculinity is over," and this echoed through his Autumn/Winter 2008 collection.

The Cavalli models donned suave shiny midnight-blue velour suits, black jacquards, zip-through leather jackets which were innovatively reworked in a thoroughly modern-looking tooled leather.

An unconventional formality was felt with his belted suit jackets that were just visible beneath PVC overcoats and slim-fitting black puffa jackets.

Cavalli also made use of the hot sheepskin trend and of racy leopard print coats draped over outfits.

The inspiration for the line is that fashion is made to please the senses & a dressing, first and foremost, should seduce and delight the one who wears it, and he didn't disappoint.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

Cavalli gets spicy
The Spice Girls made an appearance in Milan to support their friend and new favourite designer Roberto Cavalli. Cavalli designed the outfits for the comeback tour of the girl group.

Victoria Beckham, a great friend of the designer and Geri Halliwell oohed and aahed at the collection which also included pieces for women such as a gorgeous green evening shift and a black satin Cinderella gown.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

Fabulous Fendi
The 'Cape' was definitely the star of the Fendi menswear collection for Autumn/Winter 2008. Their take on the hot item for men this season, were 'capes' that weren't really capes but rather were innovatively-cut panelled coats in fluid shawl shapes or more structured opera styles.

Jackets also stood out with basic black blazers, fur-collared jackets and seventies feel burnt leather jackets

Fendi made use of luxurious fabrics with abundant fur collars on coats, striped across knitwear and even draped, stole-like, over shirts teamed with dicky bows and fine jumpers. Exotic skins and plush velvets also were huge in the collection.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

A visual masterpiece at Etro
A wonderfully whimsical collection by Etro highlighting the importance of nature in fashion.

Jaunty cut suits, brightly sculptured jackets, pin-striped fitted trousers were all an incontrovertible homage to summer sunshine and vacation dreams and models paraded in them down a runaway laden with broccoli, lettuces, leaves, beans, and bark.

Vibrantly coloured toned plaids, velvets and slightly edgier items like a beaten leather jacket delighted the audience. Chunky cable knits also featured in colours like lime green and pumpkin

With Kean Etro's dedication to quirkiness and inventive fabrics, his collection was a display of tropical colour and patterns that will keep many warm through the cold season.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

Culture clash at Dsquared2
Somewhere between the ski slopes of St Moritz and the mean streets of London, you'd find the culture clash of Dsquared2 Autumn/Winter collection for 2008.

On a runway with fire escapes, a tavern, and a blistering snowstorm, the fashion house staged a march-past of ski bums and skinhead boys, a reconciliation of extreme sportswear and extreme tailoring.

The collection featured bleached denims, fitted little white shirts, and suspenders and boots that were sheer skinhead. And ski jackets, snow boots and sweaters representing the ski boys.

Edgy and raw and oh so fabulous.

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

Elegance personified at Versace
Donatella Versace abandoned her normal flamboyance and colour and opted for a palette of dull navy, bruise-burgundy, cream and brown for the 2008 Autumn/Winter collection.

The Versace collection look is slick, sharp and downright sexy. There was a focus on tailoring, and there was not an unnipped waist nor a trouser-leg untailored to be seen. The collection was pure form-fitting perfection.

Tailoring brought back the double-breasted jacket and low-slung straight trousers, bucking the trend of the big, snug looks which were seen in many other of this year's collections.

Jackets and coats featured strongly. Lean and closely fitted to the body coats featured heavily. Coats that skim the ankles were big and ranged from smart smoking jackets to dressing-gown-esque belted styles in sumptuous, luxurious wool fabrics.

Pure class

Milan Menswear autumn/winter 08

Regal at Armani
Giorgio Armani named his collection 'Regal' and it certainly lived up to it's title.

The collection was a seamless flow of daywear and dressing up. It was disciplined in it's construction and quite formal with alot of hats and gloves being showcased.

Armani offered high-collared shirts, velvet-collared jackets, and three-piece suits with waistcoats that buttoned high and were distinctly classic and old-fashioned.

Fabrics used were lustrous quilted velvets, fur shawl-wrapped knits, and softly reassuring coats that came across like a luxurious security blanket.

His collection, as always, was absolutely timeless.

Pics: Getty/Gallo Images