Elyse Knowles’ official Myer ambassador role ruffles feathers in Jennifer Hawkins camp

MODEL Elyse Knowles has become an official Myer ambassador but Page 13 hears it isn’t all pearly white smiles behind the flashing cameras. Is long-term ambassador Jennifer Hawkins on the way out?

TRANSITION time,” remarked one fashionista in the know.

This week the rag trade chatter was all about model Elyse Knowles becoming Jennifer Hawkins, whoops, make that an official Myer ambassador.

Knowles has made no secret of her desire to follow in the fashion footsteps of her self-proclaimed idol, teetering on those needle-like stilettos.

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And is it all pearly white smiles behind the flashing cameras?

Page 13 hears Hawkins’ manager Sean Anderson is none too pleased (the word “frothing” was used) at his former The Block client signing on the dotted line with the retail giant this week.

Anderson runs super-successful PR company 22 Management, whose sleek golden goose is none other than Hawkins.

The former Miss Universe has been with Myer since January 2007.

Jennifer Hawkins has been with Myer since January 2007. Picture: Alex Coppel.

She has significant shares in the company and after a 12-year reign is one of the longest-serving ambassadors for a retail brand in Australia.

Megan Gale’s 13-year role at David Jones eclipses Hawko by a year. But the happy transition from Gale to Miranda Kerr (inset) in 2009 won’t be happening at Myer.

Quintessential girl-next-door Hawko has, dare we say it, a younger model pulling on her coat tails. And she wants it all.

“Good on Elyse for successfully getting what she has always wanted,” said a friend to both women.

“Mark my word, Jen won’t want to be seen as the second fiddle or, worse, look like the older woman.”

Page 13 hears Hawko is in renegotiations with the department store with her two-year contract winding up at the end of the year.

One Myer insider confided, “Jen is on the way out.”

Elyse Knowles as made no secret of her desire to follow in the fashion footsteps of Jennifer Hawkins.

But we all know the fabric in the fashion industry can quickly unravel and Hawko has staying power and an X-factor, which appeals to the honchos on the Myer board.

It’s no secret the retail giant has hit troubled times of late. And kudos to Myer for rolling back its designer sleeves to cut costs for its shareholders.

Myer pulled out of Flemington’s Birdcage at the Spring Racing Carnival and has scrapped its extravagant seasonal parades.

Word was out Myer was axing its ambassadors and there were a few raised eyebrows (as much as humanly possible underneath all those Botox jabs) when “Knowlesy” as she is affectionately called became an official ambassador. And for much less moolah.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall backstage at Myer’s in-store parade this month. Stilettos at dawn.

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