First Lady Carla Bruni in lacy lingerie, that girl is sexy..

HERE’S French First Lady Carla Bruni in lacy lingerie - before she became the Next big thing in modelling.

The sexy snaps - including one of her in a floral bodice - were taken in 1989 for clothes giant Next’s mail order catalogue.

* Next best … Carla Bruni in a French pantie ensemble.

And they show why Carla - now the 41-year-old wife of President Nicolas Sarkozy, below - went on to be one of the Nineties’ top models, reportedly earning £7.5million a year.

* Corr-la … sexy Carla Bruni lounging on bed in bodice.

Discovery

The shots have been unearthed from the High Street chain’s archives as Next celebrates its 21st anniversary.

* New role … France’s First Lady, with husband Nicolas Sarkozy.

Other models who have hit the big time after appearing in Next Directory include Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, and Linda Evangelista. Next’s Natalie Pead said: “We have consistently discovered modelling’s future superstars. “Our shrewd judgment has helped kick-start the careers of a succession of supermodels.”

Next month the chain is giving others the chance to follow Italian Carla with its Make Me The Next Model contest - to be launched by singer Alesha Dixon, 30, and model Paul Sculfor.