Max Mara championed modest rock 'n' roll for their autumn/ winter 2018 show in Milan

Max Mara always comes with a strong vision of its muse each season, and for a/w2018 she’s a feline rock n roll star.

Citing punk queens Siouxsie and Sinead in the show notes and with a soundtrack to match, models walked in layered leather and lashings of leopard print on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week this morning.

The modern rock chick, however, is all about modesty in her sexiness.

Hemlines were long and necklines high; tight ruched bandeau dresses were styled with T-shirts and leggings underneath and leather knee-length skirts worn over leather trousers.

Maxi skirts looked like they could have been made from huge woollen rugs, and even the long pleated leather skirts only flashed a peek of clothed leg through their splits.

Continuing a trend seen in London, clashing prints and textures were a theme.

Leopard was layered with tonal checks, while an ostrich skirt was paired with pinstripe trousers. Eveningwear came in the form of sequin blazers worn with tight trousers and T-shirts, ankle-length silk slips under large skin-concealing teddy bear coats, and sparkly versions of those blanket skirts which made the ultimate in cosy luxe.

Of course, Max Mara’s bread and butter is its coats and workwear, and these summed up the mood of female strength on the runway perfectly.

“The Max Mara woman demands success on her own terms” continued the notes. “Her don’t mess-with-me-coat and those tough looking leather suspenders hanging from her waistband are a declaration that our heroine is in a determined and defiant mood”.

As well as plenty of variations on the classic camel coat, including versions in pink and in leopard print - both commercial gold - the brand offered a new solution to officewear for the modern woman who wants to be taken seriously but retain her femininity at work. Meet the new three piece suit: a pencil skirt worn over skinny trousers with matching coat.