White House calling: Please will you make a coat for Michelle Obama

A young London fashion designer has been commissioned by US First Lady Michelle Obama.

Bunmi Olaye, 27, who runs Bunmi Koko with her partner Francis Udom, was given the honour after sending a prospectus of her designs to the White House.

Soon after a call came to the couple from Washington asking if a coat could be made for Mrs Obama.

Mr Udom said: "Someone said they were from the First Lady's office and she was interested in a cream coat we had featured and could we make it for her.

"We were stunned but kept calm and said we would make her a coat in September. I hope she likes it."

Ms Olaye, whose company is based in Plaistow, first gained national exposure when former Spice Girl Melanie Brown asked her to make her a dress for this year's Brit Awards. Pictures of the singer wearing the dress alongside former bandmate Geri Halliwell featured in newspapers the following day.

Ms Olaye said: "It has been a really good relationship. Because of all the exposure we got, we've had a lot of interest from other people in the celebrity world."

Further success followed later in the year when she won in the emerging designer of the year international category of the African Fashion Awards in Johannesburg.

She was born in Nigeria but moved to England at the age of 14 to go to boarding school in Hertfordshire.

As a child she had always dreamed of being a designer, and soon enrolled on a fashion design and marketing course at the University of East London.

She said: "I've always been fascinated by garments — probably from the age of about four. Initially, I'd just dress my dolls, using an artistic background."

Bunmi Koko was founded in March last year, inspired by the designer's first name and the affectionate nickname, Koko, given to her by her partner.

Michelle Obama has boosted the profile of a number of up-and-coming designers since becoming First Lady in November 2008.

Designer Jason Wu created a full-length flower-covered dress for her inauguration balls and she has worn pieces by emerging names from London Fashion Week.