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Max Mara gives hygge a high glamour twist at Milan Fashion Week as Gigi Hadid and Hijabi model Halima Aden walk the runway

A cosy winter wardrobe of shearling dresses, supersized mittens and sumptuous overcoats perfectly suited to shielding from storm Doris form the basis of Max Mara's new collection, unveiled in Milan this morning.

Citing Scandinavian architecture, the Max Mara design team channelled the Swedish concept of Slojdforeningen and the idea that beauty in design requires a pared back approach as the inspiration for this collection. For those who looked on enviously as models took to the catwalk swaddled in soft mohair, alpaca and shearling it was the Danish idea of hygge that seemed most familiar.

Of course, this is Milan - the city where sex sells - accordingly Max Mara’s chosen look for next season is hygge recast in high glamour form with flannel pencil skirts and sheer roll neck sweaters among the most sophisticated inclusions to the showcase.

Harking back to the Slojdforeningen idea of purity, the house unveiled a lesson in creating the perfect winter warmer with coats serving as the heart and soul of this collection.

Max Mara’s greatest strength is its camel coat offering and the brand made no apologies for that today, expanding its remit even further to include teddy bear styles trimmed with cable knit sleeves which were showcased alongside it’s most popular classic style.

The house also seemed keen to emphasise its role as a failsafe brand for working women with supremely cut trouser suits serving as a demonstration of its skill as a tailoring outfitter. A host of more playful options including a gold brocade suit and a black flannel boiler suit worn teamed with white kitten heeled court shoes were presented as options for the more adventurous dresser.

When it came to accessories, the brand turned up the heat with shearling mittens and large foldover tote bags cut from the same fabric among the most covetable - and cuddly -pieces on display.

The result was a solid collection from a brand that is at peace with the idea of sticking to doing what it does best.

But it wasn’t all business as usual. Marking a first for the house, Max Mara called upon the services of hijab-wearing model Halima Aden to unveil its latest collection.

Aden, who was recently selected by Kanye West to model in his show in New York earlier this month took to the catwalk alongside Gigi Hadid. Aden, 19, made her Milan Fashion Week debut last night when she modelled for Alberta Feretti.