London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

The Spring Summer 2019 Zeynep Kartal collection celebrates both her Turkish heritage as well as the place she now calls her second home, England. It also pays homage to the Chelengk, originally a military decoration, given to Lord Nelson by Sultan Selim III of Turkey and its history, as retold in the book Nelson’s Lost Jewel, by Martyn Downer.

This beautiful jewel, encrusted with over 300 diamonds, became synonymous with high fashion in the late 1700s with English high society imitating and wearing designs inspired by the Sultan’s gift. The original Chelengk was stolen in 1951 and lost forever.

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

The collection is dominated by shades of pink from delicate shimmering rosé to dark cerise, iridescent powder blue to sophisticated midnight blue along with white, black and silver designs made from silk, satin, handmade lace, chiffon and organza. All pieces are made using couture techniques with an emphasis on clean cuts and elegant embellishment including piquant embroidery and delicate appliqués.

From sleek suites with embroidered jackets to ruffled skirts and fairy-tale gowns, Kartal pulls out all the stops with ornate shawl and asymmetric necklines, sheer tops and large bows, creating instant classics that could grace any ballroom or red carpet.

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

London UK. 15th September 2018. Zaynep Kartal shows her Spring Summer 2019 designs at her catwalk show. © Chris Yates

In addition to the Chelengk-inspired jewellery and designs on the catwalk, the following jewellers from Goldsmiths’ Fair have supplied pieces to compliment Zeynap Kartal’s exquisite designs: Sarah Straussberg, Barbara Bertagnolli, Joanne Thompson, John Moore and Emmeline Hastings.

www.zeynepkartal.co.uk