The smart set’s talking about... Superdry boss’s new fiancee

WHEN Jade Holland Cooper presented the Leading Jockey Award on Gold Cup Day at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, the fashion designer cemented her place in society.

And soon, she might have the cash to support her new, elevated status.

For the word among the tweedy set is that the 31-year-old farmer’s daughter from Suffolk has become engaged to Julian Dunkerton, 52, the craggy co-founder of fashion brand Superdry, which boasted a turnover of more than £750 million in 2017.

While both declined to comment, it would be a marriage of money and social connections. Privately educated Jade (right), who made her demure public debut on Country Life’s ‘Girl in Pearls’ page, has built a loyal following for her label, Holland Cooper.

It sells trendy rural gear to clients ranging from the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips, to I’m A Celebrity . . . winner Georgia Toffolo.

Divorcee Dunkerton, who owns a string of hotels and restaurants in the Cotswolds, could give her label a major cash injection. Worth an estimated £366 million, he recently quit Superdry’s board to devote more time to his charity and catering.

Jade’s pals are pleased her love life is on the up. She suffered heartbreak when her long-term relationship ended with Henry Crudge, a farmer she met while studying at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester.

My advice to Dunkerton is: stay on the right side of Jade’s father, Oliver. He was once accused of hitting one of her female customers who had allegedly refused to pay a bill of nearly £7,000. He denied the claim.