18 February 2006
Exclusive Big Brother's Shell goes back to her roots to help boost Borders knitwear
By Robert Fairburn
BLONDE beauty Shell Jubin has gone back to her roots to promote the beleaguered Borders knitwear industry.
The Big Brother star is the new face of a small cashmere company from Hawick who have just launched a new mail order business.
And as 23-year-old Shell is from neighbouring Selkirk, she was the ideal model to display the company's wares in a brochure due out this autumn.
Judith Wilson, manager of Eric Hope Knitwear, said: "We are just a small company and not that well known so it is great to have someone like Shell on board.
"The fashion shoot went really well and Shell is a natural.
"The photographer asked me if I wanted Shell as the model and I thought it was a brilliant idea with her being a Borderer.
"The industry is being hit hard at the moment so you have to move with the times and it is nice to have someone with Shell's profile modelling for you."
The history of art graduate spent a day at the Hawick Museum - using old textile images as a backdrop - modelling Eric Hope Knitwear's cashmere and lambswool garments including sweaters, shirts and hats.
Many of the garments are handknitted in the Eric Hope Knitwear factory in Hawick High Street and sold from the factory shop.
Now the firm are moving into the mail order business in an attempt to build up their existing customer base. After starring in Big Brother 2004 Shell has traveled the world on various assignments but this was one she particularly looked forward to.
Her mum Ellie still lives in Selkirk and Shell said: "It's nice to be doing something so close to home.
"Some of the garments are lovely and it was a joy trying them on."
DailyRecord
