Elle Macpherson is reportedly dating a 21-year-old toyboy. The 44-year-old supermodel has been on a series of romantic dates with Vito Schnabel, the son of acclaimed film director Julian Schnabel, and are said to be smitten with each other.

One said: "Everyone is buzzing about this. They make such a hot couple."

Mother-of-two Elle and Vito are set to make their first public appearance together tonight (05.01.08) when she collects an award for her lingerie collection at New York's Cipriani restaurant.

Last week, it was claimed Elle was dating war photographer Scott Douglas after offering him a shoulder to cry on following his split from her friend, the controversial British artist Tracey Emin. However, while Douglas admitted his situation is "complex," he insisted he is just friends with the Australian beauty.

Elle split from Arpad Busson, her ex-fiancé and father of her children, in 2005. Since the separation, Elle has been romantically linked to singer Bryan Adams, British actor Ray Fearon and Australian restaurateur David Evans.

Elle was previously married to fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon, who she divorced in 1989.