Rhys-Meyers the fashion for designers

IRISH actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers has landed lucrative contracts with two of the world’s leading clothes designers.

The Dublin-born star, who was raised in Cork, is joining the ranks of celebrities such as Madonna, Halle Berry and Demi Moore by becoming the new face of Versace.

Hugo Boss has also offered the actor, currently appearing in Mission Impossible III, six-month contracts to show off their top clothes.

This year, the 28-year-old’s stock as a Hollywood heartthrob has risen on the back of a series of successes.

Speaking from a promotional tour in Amsterdam, Rhys-Meyers said: “They felt it was the right time to ask me and, naturally, I jumped at the chance.”

And he joked: “It’s certainly handy to earn the extra few bob, although I will get a mocking from my friends back in Cork.”

The decision by Versace and Hugo Boss to use Rhys-Meyers marks another step on his path to becoming a global, A-list celebrity.

Earlier this year, the Dublin-born actor won a Golden Globe for his portrayal on American television of Elvis Presley.

Last year, Rhys-Meyers played the lead male role — alongside Hollywood A-lister Scarlett Johansson — in Woody Allen’s film Match Point.

The film was nominated for a best original screenplay Oscar in March’s Academy Awards, but was beaten by Crash.

Rhys-Meyers, who lives in Dublin and north London, said: “Things are going really well for me, what with the Golden Globe earlier this year and the success of Mission Impossible III.”

The six-month deals to appear on billboards for Versace and Hugo Boss were the “icing on the cake”, he said.

Earlier this year, the actor was the toast of Cork when a civic reception was held in his honour following the Golden Globe win.