NELLY - NELLY'S HIT PLEASES HANDBAG MAKERS

Hip-hop star NELLY's recent single FLAP YOUR WINGS has led to him getting a gift from an unexpected fan - retired handbag designer JUDITH LEIBER.

Nelly mentions 84-year-old Leiber in his rap hit, which has brought renewed attention to the company's products.

While her crystal-encrusted purses have long been a red carpet favourite of such stars as RENEE ZELLWEGER and NICOLE KIDMAN, Nelly's hit has made the bags fashionable again.

In return, the company has given Nelly a custom-made monogrammed alligator case for his SIDEKICK personal digital assistant.

The company's chief executive MAGGY SIEGEL says, "(It's) the first product that we've ever made for a guy."