Michelle pics a perfect gift for her new man
£50k portrait by celebrity artist for billionaire beau
WHAT do you get a billionaire for his birthday?
If you’re former lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone, you commission a £ 50,000 painting of him by one of Hollywood’s favourite contemporary artists.
Baroness Mone, 45, has ordered the pricey portrait of wealthy boyfriend Doug Barrowman to celebrate his 52nd birthday.
The Scots businesswoman enlisted ultra- trendy artist Lincoln Townley after spotting Doug reading the painter’s autobiography while on holiday.
Doug, chairman of the Knox group of companies, turned 52 last week and is understood to be delighted with the amazing gift.
Lincoln, who is married to ex- Corrie favourite Denise Welch, overcame severe alcoholism and a chequered past to make it as one of Britain’s hottest new artists.
In the last few years he’s become a favourite of Hollywood A-listers, painting Charlie Sheen, Al Pacino, Nick Nolte, Gar y Oldman and Mickey Rourke, to name a few.
Sir Michael Caine dubbed him the new Andy Warhol and his work regularly sells for up to £500,000.
The artist confirmed to The Sunday Post that he had been commissioned to carry out the surprise birthday treat.
“I’ve met Doug and he has an energy about him that has obviously been key to his success,” the 44-year-old said.
“I’m looking forward to finishing the work which will then form part of a wider range of business icons.”
Baroness Mo ne, who founded lingerie firm Ultimo in 1996, has been dating Glasgow- born Doug since October.
The pair are said to have fallen for each other over a boardroom table, and got together three months after Michelle – who sits in the House of Lords – split from golf pro Stefan Soroka, 49.
Billionaire Doug owns two super yachts, six homes, 15 cars and a private jet, and is a keen collector of art – with a priceless Picasso among the works in his collection.
It’s a personal wealth that eclipses even that of multimillionaire Mone, who last month announced she planned to retire from the world of business within the next three years.