THE STELLA .

To me, the way forward is a totally couture sequined cape with a pair of jeans or an incredible evening gown with a denim jacket, mixing luxury with non-luxury. -- Stella McCartney, Vogue

Her friends are famous. So's her dad. She sets trends with her figure-loving designs and her talent helped increase French house Chloé's revenues by as much as 500%, according to some reports.

She then went to Gucci, where she was given her own label which debuted for Spring '02.

Stella McCartney, daughter of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, has set the fashion world on fire with her tight T-shirts, ultra hip pants and ability to make wearable clothes that actually sell at retail (albeit to rich young things with money).

Vital stats

Awards: VH1/Vogue designer of the year, 2000

Education: London’s Central St Martin’s College of Art & Design

Born: 1972

Started in the business: At age 15 she worked with Christian Lacroix on his first couture collection; eponymous line started the year she graduated college; 1997 appointed chief designer at Chloé, a French design house.

Known for: Sexy clothes with a whiff of romance

What you might not know about her

• She is an adamant animal-rights supporter -- even narrating a PETA expose video of a US fur farm.
• She's pals with models Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.
• It's rumored that she turned down a job working for Gucci because the Italian house uses leather (she has it written in her contract: no fur or leather).
• The president of Chloe claims he didn't hire her for her famous last name: He told Vogue he thought her name had been Stella McCarthy.
• The customer she designs for: Herself: 'I design things I want but can't get.'
• Notable quote: "We've done the feminist thing and beaten men down, and now we want to lure them back. I think there's a danger in being too girly though." -- Time Magazine

Famous clients

Cameron Diaz, Madonna, Liv Tyler, Gwyneth

How you can get the look

• Skintight trousers and jeans, preferably hipsters, are a Stella basic.
• Top off the slim bottoms with extra tight Tshirts or ethereal blouses.
• Put the emphasis on the top half of the body with halter necks, plunging necklines, strategically placed graphics, wide belts, one-shoulder styles.
• -Stella is also known for exquisitely cut pantsuits and lovely details like antique buttons, and lace.

& yess, i really admire her.