Back to the future

It's official, 80s-inspired fashion is the trend for next season. Mixed up with futuristic styling and a dash of utility sportswear and you are on the mark. Christopher Kane said it best with his SS07 homage to early Gianni Versace, using bright colours infused with tighter than tight dresses. But 80s dressing (thankfully) is more rounded than just tight silhouettes - as seen at Preen and Marios Schwab - or graffiti prints on denim at Ashish.

Think too of off-the-shoulder tops, geometric prints and simple shift dresses. Acid wash jeans will surely be making an appearance in London 's east-end, still the borough of choice for the capital's cool kids. Waisted jeans and trousers are back, as are rising hems. Mini skirts and dresses made an appearance on many catwalks, a trend picked up by Stella McCartney, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada. The latter showed them in jewel tones in flowy fabrics.

So where does the future lie, as Suzie Menkes of the Herald Tribune questioned designers backstage at the SS07 shows? In terms of fashion, galactic colours, shimmering fabrics and sci-fi styling are what is hot. You may not be partial to Hussein Chalayann's plastic panelled skirts, for example, however he captured the zeitgeist when worn over delicate chiffon pieces. If you don't want to venture too far into the future, try patent leather, high-gloss finishing and dramatic fabric juxtapositions.