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Sarah Brown proves gem of a model for designers
Miranda Bryant16.10.09
Sarah Brown has given two aspiring London designers unexpected publicity after she wore one of their signature necklaces to the G20 summit.
Natasha Faith and Semhal Zemikael, both 23, said they were "amazed" when they saw a picture of the Prime Minister's wife wearing the necklace in Pittsburgh last month as she posed with Gordon Brown, President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.
The designers, whose company is called La Diosa, said they had no idea she had bought the £420 necklace -made from labradorite, onyx and crystal - until they spotted the picture in the Evening Standard.
Miss Faith, of Forest Gate, said: "Semhal's mum got the Evening Standard and saw the picture of Sarah Brown next to Michelle Obama in Pittsburgh and said to Sem that it looked like one of our necklaces. We checked closely and realised it was one of ours. It was so amazing to see Sarah wearing our necklace with Michelle."
Mrs Brown wore the necklace with three outfits in two days, including with a Graeme Black dress and blue Monica Vinader earrings, and dresses by Betty Jackson and Nicole Farhi.
The designers work from Miss Zemikael's house in Walthamstow but are moving to a studio in Hatton Garden next month. They met in a philosophy class at Sir George Monoux College in Walthamstow. After college they both worked for fashion retailers before travelling to Mexico. They were so inspired by the country's jewellery they stayed there for six months to learn how to make their own before setting up their business.
Miss Faith said: "We saw the jewellery men and women wear and it was armour-like, it looked so strong and empowering. It was so far away from east London."
