ELLE'S BELLE; SUPERMODEL KEEN ON TYNESIDE DESIGNER'S TIARA RANGE.(News)

Byline: By DAVID OLD Industrial Reporter

KNOWN as The Body, supermodel Elle McPherson is a world fashion icon.

But the Aussie beauty could soon be snapped sporting creations by North East designer Rosie Willett after she placed an order for a number of her brochures.

She may still run her fledgling business designing wedding day tiaras from her home in Whitley Bay. But since the 27-year-old was crowned as a winner of the Chronicle-backed If We Can You Can challenge, her work is already causing a stir.

She has just been contacted by a television soap about the possibility of creating a design for a big on-screen occasion.

But her biggest boost has been interest from Elle McPherson whom she met at a conference organised by the Entrepreneurs' Forum at the Gateshead Hilton. She regards her as a fashion icon and had even named one of her designs after her.

Keen not to let the chance pass, Rosie cheekily passed one of her design brochures to the famous figure.

But she was gobsmacked when she got a message requesting more brochures a few weeks later.

Now Rosie is amazed at the thought the worldfamous model, actress and clothes designer could soon be ordering one of her exclusive designs.

She said: "I was invited to the conference because I was a finalist in the competition, but they arranged for me to meet Elle after she had given her speech.

"One of my tiaras is named after her, she's a style icon. I shook her hand and introduced myself to her. When I told her about my business she said 'I love that you design tiaras.' it was really good to meet her but I wasn't really expecting anything to come of it.

"Then a couple of weeks later her PA got in touch with the Entrepreneurs' Forum saying Elle had just come back off holiday and wanted some more brochures.

"I never thought in a million years that I would get to meet her, let alone her be interested in my designs."

Rosie, who launched her business by strolling into a local bridal shop with her first tiara, has seen her designs appear on television before when one of her creations was chosen on This Morning's 'Beat the Stylist' wedding feature on ITV.

And she has revealed a costume designer from one of the soaps has also been in touch, though she is not saying which one.

Check out Rosie's designs at www.rosiewillettdesigns.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

STYLEICON: Elle Mcpherson with Rosie Willett and Michelle Taylor