Leona to become vegan fashion icon

X-Factor winner Leona Lewis is reported to be negotiating with a vegan fashion chain about the launch of a new range of clothing which will promote the ethical treatment of animals.

According to Hello! magazine, the Bleeding Love singer, who has taken the US by storm with her album Spirit, is keen to launch her own range due to her love of animals.

Lewis, 23, has spoken out before about the importance of ethical treatment for animals and does not wear leather shoes or diamonds because she cannot be sure where they have come from.

"She's always adored animals since she was a little girl and has been a vegetarian since the age of 12. It was for this reason that she is determined to set up her own ethical fashion range and sell the goods at high street prices," said an unnamed source, according to Hello! magazine.

The singer is not the first celebrity to pursue such a venture - earlier this year, actress Natalie Portman launched a line of vegan shoes for fashion boutique Te Casan.

Lewis recently traveled to Africa to highlight the plight of children suffering from HIV and Aids as part of Sport Relief and has been confirmed as part of the line-up for Nelson Mandela's birthday celebrations in London this summer.