Going Out On The Town Couture Style- What to wear to London's hottest events this July.

By Coral Turner, Couture Designer

One of the many privileges of living in London is that it is a cultural hub for the arts with a wonderful offering of galleries, plays, music events and exhibits. The question becomes, which one to visit first?

Because the options are so diverse and so many, I decided to provide a short list of my favourite events for the month of July, along with my recommendations in terms of fashion picks for each occasion. Here we go . . .

La Rondine, at the Royal Opera House. Who doesn’t love a love-triangle drama? Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Rondine relates the story of the beautiful Magda, who falls in love with the younger, handsome and naive Ruggero at the same time she remains indebted to her older lover, Rambaldo.

Russian Doll

You will have to get tickets to see what happens to Magda, but my Russian Doll dress is a ravishing choice for the event. The Russian Doll, set on a pale blue background, features deep blue rose flowers that come to life with Russian dolls thrown into the mix, complemented by tiny flecks of gold jersey fabric for great stretch and structure. The dress has a high neck with scarf detail that can be tied as a pussy bow or left free as a scarf. Hand-finished edging and glass turquoise beads add the finishing touch to the scarf detail. A high thigh slit gives the Russian Doll high-fashion appeal. Add a fabulous pair of shoes and matching handbag, and you will surely be a stunner at the event. Further, no one else will be wearing it––the Russian Doll is a one-of-a-kind, exclusive couture dress from my online store!

La Rondine is playing until July 21.

Eastern Promise

A Season in the Congo, at the Young Vic. This play is about the Congo’s 1960 rebellion against Belgian rule. Award-winning director Joseph Wright (Anna Karenina, Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) directs this electrifying and critically acclaimed musical. According to The Guardian, “Joe Wright is the hottest property in Hollywood” and “[o]ne of the best British actors of his generation. . . . Chiwetel Ejiofor has the acting world at his mercy.” This is a must-see!

The high drama of this musical calls for a dress with a significant daring factor.  The Eastern Promise fits the bill. This jersey mini-dress is sleek, bold and sexy. For a more demure look, it combines swimmingly with a great pair of my cigarette pants as a tunic blouse. This mini-dress is an elegant mix of bold colours––lime green, sky blue and yellow––set on a white background with a distinctive detail fitted with mock snakeskin basque, metal eyelets and a suede ribbon tie front that cinches at your waistline. The shrug’s billowing kimono sleeves add dynamism to the dress, and the tapered, lined skirt provides additional support.

Again, the Eastern Promise is an exclusive, one-of-a-kind dress perfect for you and this fantastic play.

Floral Infusion

Mexico: A Revolution in Art, at the Royal Academy of Arts. Mexico underwent significant political changes from 1910 to 1920, which have been reflected in the country’s art. The Royal Academy is currently hosting an exhibit of this period’s art, including pieces from the famed Diego Rivera. A visit to the exhibit would make for a great afternoon outing that could only be followed by a fabulous dinner.

This type of occasion requires a dress that is both glamorous and sophisticated—the Floral Infusion certainly fits this description. The Floral Infusion, designed of floral greens that create the illusion of camouflage, features a drop shoulder and stand collar. It sensually skims the body in all the right places; the skirt falls just above the knee to reveal a peek of legs, which are quickly hidden again by a waterfall hem detail.

Combined with a great pair of strappy, neutral heels, the Floral Infusion is a sure bet. Mexico: A Revolution in Art is on until September 29.

Happiness

Club to Cat Walk: London Fashion in the 1980’s at the Victoria and Albert Museum. I’m sure a fashion exhibition on the list comes as a surprise! This great exhibition pays homage to the 1980s in all aspects from big shoulder pads to leotards. The Guardian describes it as “a period of creativity, eccentricity and outlandish looks.” Club to Cat Walk is a fun exhibit and––for some us––a trip down memory lane.

So what’s the best pick to wear to such an exhibit? Happiness!

This dress, featuring an abstract jersey print of flowers set on a white background, just exudes the feeling that inspires its name. Beautiful to the touch, it has a hand-finished fitted V-neck that makes statement jewelry come alive. The white background emanates sheerness, but the basque and sexy tapered skirt is lined, for an uber chic look. The illusion doesn’t stop there––more drama is created with Kimono-style shrug sleeves.

This one-of-a-kind dress is sure to please any ’80s-inspired fashionista and is ideal for an evening visit to the exhibit followed by a late-night dinner at a favourite restaurant.

Well, there you have it—my short list of fun events and great couture designs to complement an afternoon or evening out.

Handwoven silk scarves

And don't forget to add one of my handwoven silk scarves to compliment any of your style pics.

As always, I would be thrilled to meet with you and design and create a one-of-a-kind couture garment for any occasion you may have on your calendar.

Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Bra By Coral Turner, Coral Turner.

By Coral Turner, Couture Designer,

As a couture designer, the overall fit is what makes a garment look fabulous, however in my experience, a poorly fitting bra can often be found to be the culprit if this happy medium is not forthcoming. For clothing to look optimum especially if you are buying one of my exclusive jersey fashions, you have to have the properly fitted bra, it not only lifts your assets but your confidence also. Finding the right bra is not difficult; you just have to do your homework first. Once you now the basics you can determine your correct size and decide what kind of style you want. Correct fit is the most important aspect of a bra, not just for comfort, but also for the best possible support and overall look. Styles and fabrics are important, too. These needs can differ with your body type, personality and dress.  So ladies, take some advice from this couture designer who has been dressing women for over 20 years, this is all you need to know about getting a proper bra.

Measurement and Fit

Many women wear the wrong size bra. Don’t just guess and don’t go by feel alone; spend a few minutes with the tape measure and you’ll find bra shopping and fitting much easier. Be sure to measure in the right places to guarantee the best fit:

Band

Place a tape measure at the middle of your back and around the top of your bust. This your band width. Most stores carry bras with band widths from 30 to 40 inches around that have three different hook placements for wiggle room.

Bust

Next find your bust size by measuring around the fullest part of your bust (around the nipple) parallel to the ground. Bust size is accommodated through strap adjustment.

Cup

Determine your cup size by subtracting your band width from your bust size. The number difference between band and bust should range from 0 to 6 inches. This number than corresponds to the regulatory letter cup sizes (AA-DDD). 

Band width – Bust size = Cup size

0 = AA

1 = A

2 = B

3 = C

4 = D

5 = DD

6 = DDD

Coverage style

There are different levels of coverage, from total to scant, depending on your body, personality and what you’re wearing.

Full coverage

Offers the most possible coverage and support; best for full-figured and/or busty women.

Demi

Provides half the coverage of a full; better for smaller, slimmer women.

Multi-way 

This style has movable straps that can be manipulated to accommodate asymmetrical or “complicated” tops and dresses; perfect for halter tops, racer backs and one-shoulder tops.

Push-up

The push-up creates lift and cleavage when you want it; great for evening wear.

Wireless

Features no under wire, for comfort with flexible, light support; best with blouses and sweaters.

Fabric

Different bra fabrics behave differently under clothing. Some work better than others to complete your look. The rule of thumb is to match the bra material to the clothing material. A satiny bra, for example, will look more seamless and natural under a silk top than a cotton bra, which may cause the top fabric to cling and stick.

Cotton

Works best under other cotton tops (T-shirts) and linen blouses.

Eastern Promise

Satin

Best with like tight and/or clingy dresses, tops and sweaters like Olive, Cerise or Eastern Promise which are in my online collection.

Rosetta

Blends (nylon, rayon, etc.)

Works well with most all clothing fabrics including jersey fabrics that I use. If you need examples, Rosetta and Happy would work well with a blended fabric bra. 

Happy

Lace

Best for the bedroom; it often does disrupts the line of the clothing.

Whether you’re small, busty, perky or a little droopy, the right fitting bra is equally essential for all women. Ensuring the best bra fit will benefit you, both physically and psychologically!  Follow these tips, and you will look and feel great.  

Remember, I am happy to meet with you to design and create wardrobe for your holidays or for that special occasion that you have this summer.