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LADY MONE HAS DESIGNS ON NEW GLOBAL SUCCESS

WORLD EXCLUSIVEby LAURIE STONE

Editor-at-largeLADY Michelle Mone is quite simply aphenomenal woman. Stylish, sexy and super-cool she built astunningly successful lingerie brand throughsheer hard work, dedication anddetermination. I have had the privilege of knowing Michellefor more than ten years and I can testify thather attention to detail is second to none. Sheis a perfectionist who prides herself on puttingevery ounce of her entrepreneurial energy intoevery venture that she sets her mind too. The proud mother of three split from herformer husband and business partner whenshe discovered he was cheating on her - butin recent weeks she has opened up for the firsttime about her relationship with billionaireboyfriend Doug Barrowman who makes herfeel like she is in a "fairytale, a beautifuldream." And so it has ben a busy few months for the45-year-old Tory peer, now known as BaronessMone of Mayfair, nurturing her newrelationship with the Scottish businessman,and putting the finishing touches to her latestglobal initiative: Michelle Mone Interiors. In an exclusive interview in her suite atLondon's swanky Dorchester Hotel, Michellerevealed her latest "baby" - designing bespokeimmaculate interiors for the world's mostglamorous homes. "I have always been a designer. Believe me,spending 20 years designing the perfect bra,means that I know a thing or two about design,"laughs Michelle. Design and interiors have long been a big partof Michelle's success, from the intricate designprocess of creating those perfect bras whichmade the Ultimo brand so successful to herbest-selling jewellery range with QVC.

Michelle's move into the interior sector seesthe collaboration with leading designer, JulieChapman. Together they make a formidablepartnership combining Michelle's businessattributes and unique design flair with Julie'sunrivalled talents. Michelle explains: "Our aim is to createbeautifully crafted interiors that makeexceptional homes for discerning clientsaround the globe. The company's signature isto deliver British inspired elegance, with atwist of contemporary design andfunctionality that is created from the highestquality materials and craftsmanship. "Our team are talented, friendly, skilled anddriven with passion and creativity to makeevery project we work on individual andtailored to the client's distinctive style.Current projects reflect the experience increating luxurious, sophisticated andtimeless interiors for private clients, propertydevelopers, hoteliers and superyacht owners. "While much of our work is currently focusedon private residential and commercialproperties in London and the U.K. we also workinternationally - with recent commissions inthe Caribbean and Middle East. "Our expertise lies in the clear understandingof how to balance luxurious elegance withintelligent design." Michelle's enthusiasm for her latest petproject is infectious. She is confident thatthere is a demand for an exclusivity and styleto bring an iconic uniqueness to the homes ofthe rich and famous.

"I have always been a designer.Believe me, spending 20 years

designing the perfect bra, means thatI know a thing or two about design,"

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I first met Michelle as she unwaveringly worked to build Ultimo International into the UK's leadinglingerie brand for the last two decades. She set out with a vision of helping women look and feeltheir very best. It was on that simple concept that she built her career and influence, being honouredwith a Life Peerage to the House of Lords and an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen for her outstandingcontributions to business. She has come along way from the impoverished East End of Glasgow when, at the age of 15, herfather fell ill and was subsequently declared paraplegic and wheelchair-bound for life. It forcedMichelle to leave school without any qualifications in search of full-time employment, sparkingher instinct for entrepreneurship. At the age of just 22, Michelle excelled herself becoming Headof Sales and Marketing in Scotland for the Glasgow-based Labatts Brewers. Unfortunately, she wasmade redundant after just two years. In 1996, after only six weeks out of work, Michelle was at a dinner dance wearing a veryuncomfortable cleavage-enhancing bra. It was here that she her her eureka moment on what thelingerie industry was missing and the world-famous Ultimo bra was born. After the launch of Ultimo, Michelle quickly established herself as one of Scotland's finest exports,winning the World Young Business Achiever Award in 2000 at the Epcot Centre in Florida, as wellas Business Woman of the Year at the Corporate Elite Awards in London. Her status as one of theleading entrepreneurs was confirmed soon after when Prince Charles invited her to join the boardof Directors for The Prince's Trust.

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In October 2005, Michelle attended a speaking event with former US President Bill Clinton andformer Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, leading to her involvement in setting up theWomen's Enterprise Project in the Middle East in support of the The Sultan of Oman It was thenshe began to realise that her experience and wisdom could transform lives and inspire others inthe face of adversity. She then faced her own challenges in her private life. suffering an acrimonious divorce after herhusband Michael left her and started a relationship with one of Michelle's closest family friendsand senior Ultimo employees. A bitter divorce followed and it cost Michelle millions of poundsto buy him out of the family business. Michelle then went on to see Ultimo to global lingerie giants MAS Holdings - one of the world'slargest manufacturers of intimates, with a $1.4billion turnover and 63,000 employees. It is a truly inspirational story and Michelle went on to reveal all of her struggles and successesin her chart-topping autobiography: My Fight To The Top. Over the past decade, Michelle has spoken at some of the most prestigious events around theglobe. Now the UK's No. 1 female speaker, she has spoken to audiences totalling over one million. Michelle's speeches have the power to motivate, inspire and teach audiences practical ways toimprove their lives and businesses. There is no doubt that Michelle has the ultimate designs on her future. For more information visit: www.michellemoneinteriors.com Photo Credits Dan Kennedy

www.michellemoneinteriors.com