A FORMER Lowestoft College student has caught the eye of a leading British fashion designer, who has snapped up her unique ceramic figures.Danielle Spelman graduated as student of the year in 2007 with a first class honours degree in design crafts.

A FORMER Lowestoft College student has caught the eye of a leading British fashion designer, who has snapped up her unique ceramic figures.

Danielle Spelman graduated as student of the year in 2007 with a first class honours degree in design crafts.

And since she left the 35-year-old mum-of-two has been working to establish her collection of non-functional slip cast forms.

Now it appears her perseverance has paid off, as her products have been commissioned by Paul Smith for a bespoke range in his flagship London store.

And following on from the success of the initial pieces, the company has placed another order for a further 48 to be sold in his shops in Japan, Korea, South Africa, India and Russia.

Danielle, who lives in Oulton Broad, first made contact with Paul Smith Ltd when she visited an exhibition in London with her friend and artist Cedric Christie.

She was introduced to Lance Martin, who works on the window displays for the group, and stayed in contact with him, inviting him to the Contemporary Ceramics Gallery, an exhibition in London she was taking part in.

Mr Martin and the head buyer for the group went to view her work and were so impressed they bought some initial pieces for their Sloane Avenue store, in South Kensington, London.

Aside from juggling motherhood with making the delicate vase-like forms in her studio, Danielle is sharing her expertise with current college design crafts students, as well as preparing for a new show called Urbanicity, at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery, in September.

Danielle's former tutor Liz Clarke said. 'She is a shining example of dedication and commitment as well as talent. Our current students cannot fail to be inspired by her.'