Dolce and Gabanna led Milan's men's fashion week with the reinvention of the space aged suit. Abrasive golds and sharp silvers were the common feature colours which presented themselves throughout the show.
There was no dispute about the entertainment value of the designs with jaw dropping creations stunning audiences, however were the designs impractical and if so, why dress models in clothing that the normal man cant wear? Melbourne-based radio station 3AW argued this point by dressing a man in space aged attire, parading him around Melbourne and asking onlookers whether they would wear the bold designs.
Well the New Year is here, and with it a chance to reflect on what 2006 was all about. First of all, a look at five fashion items that took 2006 by storm.
1. Christian Louboutin pumps. It seemed the Louboutin pump was the shoe that every celebrity stepped out in, every girl wanted... and every store copied.
2. Bubble hems. Dresses and skirts went from boho to bubble. Volume hit the catwalks as a major trend, and was key to the bubble look.
3. Men's Skinny Jeans. Almost every girl had them already - 2006 made them essential rock-star styling for the boys.
4. Roland Mouret Galaxy Dress. The dress that launched a thousand copies - by the start of the year they were showing up in every high-street store, eventually giving way to more flowing numbers through the latter part of the year.
5. Braces. High-waisted skirts, shorts or jeans - whatever it was, you could rock it with a pair of braces in 2006 - worked for boys or girls.
Innocent, feminine, yet decisively alluring. It's all in the detail when it comes to white; as eyelet and scalloped lace, broderie and embroidery graced the catwalk for Spring 2006/07.
La Perla, Luisa Beccaria, Ralph Lauren and Temperley Spring 06-07:
So which white romantic pieces should you choose, and how do you complete the look? Here are our top five ways to wear white this season.
1. Blue denim. White has always looked sexy with denim, and 2007 will be no exception. Wear with casual denim or more tailored styles for a look that's effortless.
Phillip Lim white tuxedo blouse; Tsubi super skinny zip jeans; Pedro Garcia pointed ballerina pumps.
2. Tuxedo style. Contrast lacy feminine shirts with black drainpipe pants and sexy heels for a new take on tuxedo style dressing.
White lace shirt by Paul and Joe; tux pants by Adam + Eve; suede pumps by Missoni.
3. 70s reborn. Floaty dresses with ruffled hems and bell-sleelves make their mark. Team with leather accessories in tans and browns - woodstack heeled boots or platforms are a requirement; and tousled, wavy tresses complete the look perfectly. Keep it crisper and cleaner than last year's boho.
Charlotte Ronson Amy Boot in rust; Burberry platform sandals in cognac.
The mini-dress has certainly hit runways worldwide in a big way this year, meaning it's sure to continue to be a hit with socialites and celebrities alike for some time to come. Whether worn with glamour on the red carpet; floaty and light for summer days; or in heavier fabrics with tights (the jumper-dress trend remains strong for Autumn), there's only one real requirement: to wear it with confidence and class.
Kate Bosworth:
Grey continues as a trend for Spring / Summer 2007, with designers particularly choosing to go for casual knit and cotton jersey fabrics; the resulting look is relaxed, but with a cool, chic edge.
Alessandro Dell'Acqua:
If you looked closely enough at the Spring 2007 shows, you might find a faint thread running through which took historical men's tailoring, and applied it artfully - in new and sleek form - to women.
Feminine mini-dresses and flowing gowns may have ruled most of the collections, but the tailoring trends were still making their mark - many in dark colours, with gothic undertones, and drawing their inspiration from Baroque, Victorian and Colonial eras to name a few.
Hemlines have been seen to creep higher than ever in the recent Spring / Summer collections, with barely-there dresses storming the catwalk around the globe. From denim to silk, bubble to shift, demure to daring, the minidress is back in its many forms and looks like it's here to stay.
We've already been rejoicing in the comeback of the mini-dress with Prada, Fendi, Temperley and Chloe among others: now Balmain, Blumarine, Dell'Acqua, Ferretti and Saab give us their take on the trend.
Balmain covered off bubble hems, Grecian drapery and bejewelled straps and necklines in a collection that was both elegant and sexy:
Blumarine brought out baby-doll and lace, and almost fairy-like delicately ruffled hems:
Girls with sky-scraper legs the world over can sigh with relief: the minidress is back, and with it a chance to show off those pins. It seems that every fabric, colour, cut and style of minidress has made at least one appearance for the Spring 2007 shows, with hemlines creeping up and up - some barely-there - for the warmer weather.
Chloe added a touch of romance with ruffles, floaty shirts and ribbons:
Temperley managed to combine pretty and seductive perfectly:
The ankle boot trend has life in it yet; and with a multitude of beautifully-crafted designer versions to choose from, why not make the most of it? They can be worn with skirts, dresses, shorts, or jeans - and for something a little more dressed up, with opaque tights.
Fans of the ankle boot: Kate Bosworth, Lindsay Lohan, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.
Denim short-shorts or hotpants are a definite summer trend - versatile and adaptable, they can be dressed up or down depending upon the occasion. As seen on a multitude of fashionistas and celebrities...
Kate Moss has been a long time fan and proponent of denim hotpants, taking them to new heights in both their length (or lack thereof) and their popularity:
