In his latest film Vanilla Sky, Tom Cruise has money, looks and love. He also has a touch of flair, courtesy of two Sussex designers.

Cruise's character, David Aames, is a publishing executive with a New York penthouse and exquisite taste.

In the film, his luxury apartment is lit by lights made by husband and wife team Katherine and Geoff Ladd.

The couple run a company called Gecko, which makes lamps at their studio in New England Street, Brighton.

Katherine said their illuminating role in the Hollywood blockbuster came as a surprise.

She said: "We heard about it through a designer friend who rang us to say she'd seen our lamps in the film.

"We haven't had time to go to see the film yet but I'm told they feature in a bedroom scene."

Gecko's distinctive lamps are made from spun glass fibre and range from 6ft structures to small table lamps.

Katherine said: "They are all white and quite organic-looking. They are made by hand in very simple shapes and look quite fragile. People say they look like illuminated cocoons."

It is Gecko's second Hollywood claim to fame. The company's lamps have also featured at the Vanity Fair post-Oscar party at Mortons restaurant in West Hollywood.

The restaurant is a haunt for the rich and famous and likes to discreetly light its star clients.

Katherine said: "They bought 75 lamps to illuminate the event."

The firm exports most of its goods to Australia, Singapore and America.

It has one particularly keen client in Los Angeles, which is where they were spotted by a set designer.

Katherine is not a Tom Cruise fan but was delighted to find her work popular in Tinseltown.

She said: "I'm not sure it will help shift the lamps, although we did get a very big order from LA just after Christmas, which is most unusual."

Katherine, a former graphic designer, started the business with Geoff two years ago and has never looked back.

She said: "We had no idea it would grow like it has but it is expanding rapidly.

"People may cut back in other areas but they always spend money on their homes."

Gecko's lamps range from £75 for table lamps to £400 for 6ft lights.

They can be seen in two Brighton shops, Moonlighting in Trafalgar Street and England at Home in Ship Street.

For more information, call Katherine on 01273 690994.