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Stella McCartney Image Credit: AFP

Stella McCartney has awarded herself a record £2 million (Dh11.716 million) pay package after her fashion label's sales and profits boomed during the recession.

The designer earned £1.9 million in 2009, up almost a third, in a year that saw profits at the UK arm of her business rise 15 per cent to £2.1 million.

Last Monday, she unveiled her latest collection at Paris Fashion Week, which featured giant citrus prints. The show was well received. Enthusiastic demand for her vegan "it-bag", the Falabella, helped push sales up from £13.5 million to £14.6 million, accounts reveal. Stars including Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Leona Lewis have been seen carrying the tote.

McCartney, 39, has become one of fashion's most bankable names. Her label is owned jointly by Gucci after she sold a 50 per cent share in 2001. It made losses until 2006 but has been in profit ever since.