Belstaff's luxury push is boosted by Tommy Hilfiger

Belstaff, British maker of the biker gear sported by icons from Lawrence of Arabia to Steve McQueen, will step up its assault on the global luxury market after drafting in fashion legend Tommy Hilfiger as a consultant today.

The appointment comes days after the business was bought by Labelux, the international luxury goods group which snapped up Jimmy Choo last month.

Hilfiger, an investor in Labelux, will serve on the board and is likely to oversee the growth of the brand in Asian markets.

Labelux is looking to tap a world market worth an estimated £150 billion last year. Belstaff, whose jackets can fetch up to £600, began life in Stoke-on-Trent in 1924, developing the waxed cotton clothing worn widely by bikers.

But the clothes picked up a steady fashion following and have featured in blockbuster movies including the Harry Potter series.