Primadonna

Prima Donna has been producing luxury lingerie since 1865, and it sits at the top of the Brava range on almost every dimension that matters: precision of fit, construction quality, longevity, and the likelihood that a customer who gets fitted into Prima Donna will come back for more of the same. D to J cup, sizes 8 to 22, with a full-cup and plunge range that covers most occasions and a consistency of sizing that makes reordering reliable.

What makes Prima Donna different

The manufacturing process is unusual by modern standards: every Prima Donna bra is individually checked before leaving the factory. The result is a level of consistency across sizes that most brands can't match — a 12G in one Prima Donna colourway fits almost identically to the same style in another, which is not something that can be said of most brands at larger cup sizes where tolerances tend to drift.

The cup construction uses multiple sections of precision-cut, minimal-stretch fabric that provide lift and separation without compression. The feel is different from most fuller-bust bras — softer than Panache or Elomi, but not in a way that sacrifices structure. Prima Donna bras hold their shape under load while feeling genuinely comfortable, which is the combination most brands fail to achieve at G cup and above. They wear longer than most alternatives at their price point, and the price-per-wear calculation often makes them more economical than cheaper bras replaced more frequently.

Sizing notes

Prima Donna does not do half sizes in most styles — no DD or FF cups in their range. If you're currently in a DD, you need to try both D and E in Prima Donna to find the right fit. Their European sizing runs slightly small in the band compared to Australian/UK brands — many women who wear a 12 band in Panache or Elomi find a 14 fits better in Prima Donna. Checking with our fitting team before ordering is advisable if you're new to the brand.

The Prima Donna range at Brava

The Prima Donna Madison is one of the most-fitted bras at Brava — a full-cup style in stretch lace that works for a wide range of bust shapes at D–J cup. Prima Donna full-cup bras covers the complete full-cup selection. Prima Donna Swim applies the same construction to luxury bra-sized swimwear. For the Van de Velde group group's smaller-cup sister brand, see Marie Jo. For comparable European quality, see Empreinte.