Jil Sander Collection to Open Milan Men's Fashion Shows

The 2006 fashion year opens this weekend in Milan with a hotly-anticipated, ready-to-wear men's collection from the Jil Sander house hitting the catwalks on Sunday.

Belgian designer Raf Simons will be presenting his first collection since he took over in July from Sander as creative director at the German company she founded.

Simons is one of Belgium's best young designers, and his collection is bound to excite interest at the autumn/winter 2006 ready-to-wear men's fashion week in the northern Italian city.

Sander quit the company for the second time in November 2004 after falling out with the Italian Prada group which took over the company in 1999.

Italian designers will be out in force in Milan including Armani, Prada, Ferre, Dolce and Gabbana, Trussardi and Valentino.

Three companies, Bottega Veneta, Gas and Les Hommes, will be appearing for the first time in the 53 official shows planned over five days.