Milan Fashion Week A/W 2011: Menswear Collections

Jil Sander

‘I like the idea of t-shirts for winter’, Raf Simons said backstage after his fall menswear show in Milan. And after seeing his versions – boxy, shaped in quilted nylon or padded silk that stood away from the body - goosebumps aside, we do too. Part of their allure, as well as most of the show's, was the magically delicious palette of colours that are slowly becoming this Belgian designer's most effective imprint on the German fashion house. Simons has a natural knack for unusual colour combinations that have visually combustible results. Who would think for example that bright watermelon, hot tangerine-orange, peacock green and studious navy could ever sit on the same outfit, and do so with such easy grace? Simons is effortlessly becoming one of contemporary fashion's most able colourists.