MILAN, Jun 25, 2006/ FW/ --- With the Sundance Channel documentary about Ozwald Boateng to premiere this Thursday in the U.S., there was a palpable excitement at the front of the house before the catwalk presentation started.

After all, this is THE collection that will figuratively be scrutinized and looked at by the American public as news had also broken that Ozwald Boateng will be opening a freestanding retail store in the U.S.

Sitting front row is Suzy Menkes, the most influential fashion editor, showing her support for her fellow Brit. Beside her is Boateng’s wife, who look as lovely as ever, in a tęte-ŕ-tęte with the IHT editor.

The venue was dramatic. With a black & white rendition of the Union Jack as backdrop, the floor was all white, the runway constructed with white sand that screamed ‘it’s summer!’

The first look – an all white suit, with an Ozwald Boateng crest on the jacket – set the tone of the collection, which also, for all intent and purposes also summed up the designer’s message for the season.

‘Fresh, energetic and dynamic’ was Ozwald Boateng’s message for Spring / Summer 2007 in this very tight and well edited collection.

It also emphasized the inherent English spirit of Savile Row – sharply tailored suits that are classic yet modern in countenance. Boateng’s background as a Savile Row tailor was clearly seen with the suits that are cut with a straight shoulder. He refined the focus on the waist and chose narrow elegant sleeves to finish the look.

With the traditional men’s color of white, black, gray and blue as the main color palette, there is a certain ‘establishment’ feel to it. Still, Ozwald Boateng has a great eye for color; so he added metallic shades of these traditional colors, plus warm hues of mint green, lilac, sky blue and lemon, resulting to a very contemporary and youthful feel.

Trousers are relaxed but narrow at the bottom. And because this is a summer collection, Boateng also introduced the very casual elastic waist pants that can be worn at the gym or on the street. Worn with the cashmere-silk blend crew neck tanks and v-neck, long sleeved tops, its casual elegance in motion.

New this season is the Ozwald Boateng crest as an embellishment, probably in celebration of his OBE investiture at Buckingham Palace last May 2006. It could be seen on suit jackets and on the tees.

And, if you are interested, the London-based designer also proposes thin ties that are done in a single knot next season.

As for accessories – gym bags, folding overnight totes, laptop covers and Diadora sneakers – complete the look.

Ozwald Boateng

Ozwald Boateng

Ozwald Boateng

Ozwald Boateng