DOLCE & GABBANA

With its polished marble floors, opera music and stern door staff, there is something very intimidating about the italian designers’ London flagship store. ‘i’ll take that,’ says the doorman, as he swiftly confiscates my Starbucks paper coffee cup.

the good news is that this branch of Dolce & Gabbana has a limited number of size 16 pieces. the bad news is that they come up very small.

‘honestly? i think that you’re going to struggle,’ says the size eight sales assistant.

Poppy spots a beautiful £1,700 ruched floral cocktail dress and asks if it is available in her size. All we can see on the shop floor is size ten and below.

We can’t believe it — and neither can the italian sales assistant — when one is found in the stock room along with a size 16 black cocktail dress. that’s it. Just two size 16s in the whole store.

Poppy tries on the floral dress, which has an inbuilt corset. She is unable to zip it up on her own and asks the sales assistant for help, who, in turn, calls upon me for back-up.

together we tug at the zip as Poppy breathes in for all she’s worth.

there is no doubt that the dress looks and feels exquisite — but, as Poppy says: ‘it was so tight i could hardly breathe. i’d never be able to sit down in it or do it up without a team of assistants.’

A spokesman for Dolce & Gabbana says: ‘Our range of sizes goes up to a 16. You found a limited stock because we are close to the end of the season and the summer collection has not been entirely delivered yet.

‘if a client wants a specific size, our Milan HQ would be pleased to provide it.’

LARGEST SIZE IN STOCK: SIZE 16 (BUT JUST TWO ITEMS)