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The Lucky Dress

Diminutive British fashion powerhouse Daniella Helayel transformed royal consort Kate Middleton and created an army of converts with her Lucky dress. As she launches her next cruise collection, Anne McElvoy sits down with the Issa designer.

Published Jun. 12 2009 5:14AM EDT

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-4_ii3wem

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-4_sha9iv — Naomi Campbell, designer Daniella Issa Helayel and a model walk the runway at the ISSA fashion show during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009.

Nick Harvey, WireImage / Getty Images

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-2_lct3r6 — Models walk the runway in a variety of white Lucky dresses during the ISSA show at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009.

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-1_pzg9qs — Kate Middleton in one of Daniella Issa Helayel's signature designs at the Wimbledon Championships in 2008.

Zuma / Newscom

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-8_wetrss — Scarlett Johansson sports a backless black Lucky dress at the Moet & Chandon Fashion Tribute to photographer Nick Knight in London.

Chris Jackson / Getty Images

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-7_wfgbfy — The Lucky dress is designed to flatter all shapes and sizes.

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-3_exld5t — Designer Daniella Issa Helayel, in one of her own designs, attends the Cartier International Polo Match with Violet von Westenholtz and Emma Watson.

Nick Harvey, WireImage / Getty Images

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-9_udafyf — Nicole Richie in a bright red ISSA dress at the Jenni Kayne and Andy Lecompte Salon Party in LA.

Jeff Vespa, WireImage / Getty Images

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-5_l35tco — A model in a colorful dress at the ISSA fashion show during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009.

Nick Harvey, WireImage / Getty Images

galleries/2009/06/12/the-lucky-dress/lucky-dress-6_nggnog — A model wears a creation by designer Issa during her presentation of her Spring/Summer 2009 collection at London Fashion Week.

Alastair Grant / AP Photo