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Lindsay Fergusson finds party outfits for the festive season

It’s officially the festive season and in my quest to find the perfect party dress I discovered that this is the season to be merry because anything goes!

From showgirl to showstopper its all about standing out from the crowd. Sequins, gems and fringing have hit the high street and these embellished designs come in all shapes and sizes from the bronze jewelled JM shift dress £80 from Debenhams to the official rainbow sequined ‘It’ dress from French Connection (£150).

Vintage inspired strapless dresses are still standing strong, but add a touch of flavour with this season’s hot colour, purple.

Aspiring Cinderellas may want to check out my new favourite boutique. A little gem hidden away in Lewes Road: JS Boutique. This gorgeous shop has only been open for a few weeks, but is already a hit with celebrities. Joanna Makuch provides up and coming international designers with a platform to sell one-off pieces and this will guarantee that no one else is wearing the same dress.

Personal style is another key way to stand out from the crowd. Try adding a sparkly scarf, waist belt or jewellery to a dress you already own.

Finally, do not slack on personal grooming. If you are wearing a stunning dress then ensure your hair and make-up are up to scratch too for a little va va voom.

Usual Suspects in Hove is offering 50 per cent off all hairdressing services for your first visit.

I love this time of year – let’s party!

Clothes: www.jsboutique.co.uk, 01273 608681
Photography: www.darrenpaul.com, 07718800941
Hair: Gavin – Creative Director at Usual Suspects (01273 747245)
Make-up: Carmen Phillips, Lancome, Debenhams (01273 322540)
Models: Lindsay Fergusson, Lucy Andrews

Ouh La La has recently opened in 71 North Road, Brighton, offering the finest and most exquisite lingerie on the south coast.

Ouh La La provides a professional personal fitting service which is recorded to enable those special gifts to be purchased in the correct size. Sizes available from 30B to 44H.

The intimate boudoir surroundings and specialised customer care provides a delightful and pampering shopping experience.

The Ouh La La collection includes: Aubade, Barbara, Cotton Club, Lise Charmel, Marie Jo, Prima Donna, Simone Perele, also hosiery with a difference.

Visit them at: Ouh La La Ltd, 71 North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD.
Telephone: 01273 699888

Hidden gem of a dressmaker in the heart of Brighton

Suzie Turner has been designing, fitting and cutting clothes for her clients for the past 15 years. Her studio and shop are tucked away in Queen Square by the Clocktower and is a perfect retreat from the hectic crowds of Christmas shoppers. The intimate sofas surrounded by racks of beautiful clothes seem so exclusive that you’ll feel like you’re the first person to discover the talents of her team!

You’d be best to leave your man in a pub unless he enjoys watching you parade in stunning gowns – you’ll not come out of this Aladdin’s cave before you’ve tried on at least four and imagined your fabulous entrance to this season’s parties! Dresses are available for hire from as little as £50 and Suzie’s signature range and made to measure service will give you ideas for events in the future.

Designers include Jovani, Serenade, Patrick Casey and Suzie Turner Couture. If you don’t find the perfect dress to hire, you can leave with a sketch of your dream outfit and a detailed quote – this is when you may need to bring your man back from the pub and fire his imagination with some of the sequins and glamour Suzie provides…

Suzie specialises in wedding dresses, corsetry, beadwork and tailoring. Her pieces are worn by barristers, brides, actresses and models such as Kelly Brook, and those people who turn heads in the street because of their love for fine detail.

Suzie, born and bred in Brighton, first became interested in making clothes when she realised the cut and colour of her school uniform didn’t suit her. She left full-time education when she was 15 and trained with a pattern cutter, deconstructing antique couture garments and building up her own made to measure reputation.

She believes passionately in continuing the traditional skills of handmade couture, teaching new blood and keeping clothes manufacture in the UK thriving.

She still fits and cuts patterns personally and her team assist with beadwork, samples and front of house. Every piece is made onsite in the Brighton premises but they travel all over the world – Geneva, LA, Mexico, Tokyo…

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Suzie Turner, 12 Queen Square, Brighton
Tel 01273 735599
www.suzieturner.co.uk

The lustrous jewellery of Natasha Dahlberg is worn by the rich and famous and coveted by women around the world

Natasha Dahlberg has certainly travelled the world. Her parents were almost nomadic in their pursuits throughout her childhood and as a consequence her influences and experiences create a multi-faceted view of life that is equally reflected in her work.

I met her at her home to look at the current collection and to talk to her about her ways of working, her clients and busy life.

Married to Jason Hughes (Warren in This Life) Natasha and family are now firmly based at the very eastern extreme of Kemp Town. It is here that she creates the fabulous jewellery that has received such a strong international following with celebrities around the world choosing her designs to wear, not only from parties and premieres but every day.

The look is glamorous and sparkling but never ostentatious. She works in 18 carat gold and precious stones, but often they are rough, un-cut gems that have a different fire in them, a natural glowing warmth. There are black diamonds, champagne diamonds and grey diamonds, freshwater pearls and Taihitian pearls and a sparkling array of other precious stones too long to list here. There are also cut stones and recently her work has included vintage charms.

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