Milan men's fashion week kicks off with Dolce&Gabbana

Jil Sander, Ermenegildo Zegna, Costume National, Frankie Morello and Burberry also showed off their collections on Saturday.

The Dolce&Gabbana collection drew religious and nostalgic inspiration from Sicily -- the native island of Domenico Dolce, one member of the fashion duo.

The models were all ordinary Sicilians, not professional models.

The catwalks featured a backdrop with a Virgin Mary and Child and a lot of the fashion house's signature black, along with their famous embroidery.

German designer Jil Sander, who returned to the catwalks in 2012 after seven years of absence, went for what she called "epic masculinity".

The queen of minimalism went for finely defined silhouettes and controlled volumes, as well as a multitude of trompe l'oeil geometric motifs.

Costume National stylist Ennio Capasa went for something completely different, picking up on the "angry young men" of the hippy years.

"In the 1960s and 1970s, young people took over the world. I hope that happens again. Soon. Today. rock and roll," read a note from the designer.

Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, Prada, Roberto Cavalli and Missoni will take to the catwalks on Sunday.

There have been doubts about whether Missoni will take part this year following the disappearance of Vittorio Missoni, commercial director and son of the fashion house's founders, whose plane went missing last week in Venezuela.

John Richmond, Emporio Armani, Gucci, Etro and Fendi will show on Monday and the week will conclude on Tuesday with Dsquared2 and Giorgio Armani.

The National Chamber of Italian Fashion, which organises the shows, has said it expects visitors from 23 countries and has accredited 450 journalists.