It is the collection that keeps Marks & Spencer afloat, so how appropriate that the new Per Una range was photographed in Venice, city of water.

According to unofficial estimates, George Davies's brand accounts for up to 25 per cent of all womenswear sales - and on its latest outing, you can see why.

Highlights: A ¡ê99 slinky black sequinned shift dress and ¡ê55 faux fur jacket

These exclusive pictures show key looks from Per Una's autumn/winter collection, which was unveiled today at Il Bottaccio, an ornate 19th-century building in Belgravia.

It was the perfect setting for a collection that is opulent and much sexier than the brand's usual offerings.

Top of every party girl's wish list will be a slinky, black, sequined shift dress (¡ê99), available from October.

This could be teamed with a faux fur jacket (¡ê55), or a black and white cape with minimal fastenings and loose sleeves (¡ê65).

For women wanting a more workaday wardrobe, there was a raft of desirable knitwear, which Davies is particularly fond of.

He said: "I haven't just indulged myself. I always try to make my clothes wearable and I've always loved flexible dressing.

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