A FORMER Miss Malaysia winner has set up business as the only Laura Ashley retailer in Brighton and Hove.

Anna Lin, who won the beauty pageant in 1990s, has opened Anna L Designs in Portland Road.

Selling men and women’s fashion and home ware, including furnishings, furniture and fabric, the experienced interior designer and businesswoman offers free consultations – and even has a tea garden with cakes and coffee at the back.

Her association with Laura Ashley goes back a long way, with Miss Malaysia and the fashion chain both owned by Malaysian conglomerate MUI Group.

Anna fell in love with Hove’s “Mediterranean weather” while visiting a friend and her three children are now happily settled at a local Catholic School.

Anne said: “I fell in love with Laura Ashley, it’s a quality product, high end, but not too expensive.

“When I came here I thought ‘Brighton and Hove should have its own boutique’.

“Now I’m the only store with this exclusive range. I report directly to headquarters so have all the best discounts."

Anna started her working life as a flight stewardess with Malaysia Airlines.

After winning the Miss Malaysia Universe competition she spent the following year travelling the world, representing Malaysia and doing charity work - work that remains very close to her heart.

She become a society girl and was on the covers of the gossip magazines, and went on to graduate in business studies and work as a stockbroker.

Many years after her first appearance, Anna entered Mrs. Malaysia World as a married woman.

In 2008, her high-profile career, promotion of Malaysia and charity work was recognised and rewarded with the title ‘Dato’ - the Malaysia equivalent of a British Dame.

She now splits her time between Malaysia and the UK, taking charge of the Miss Malaysia World competition and mentoring entrants with Laura Ashley also a major sponsor of the pageant.

She added: “There’s a lot of potential in Portland Road, it’s up and coming. You can park right outside the store.

“I have all sorts of people coming in, from the young families to older people. We get a lot of classy people come in.”

Anna L Designs is in161a Portland Road, Hove.