A finishing school for transgender women has opened up - offering participants guidance in how to move, dress and even speak like a lady.

Le Femme, in New Jersey, offers training to those have undergone - or are undergoing - sex change operations or cross-dressers to help them make the transition from masculine to feminine.

The school was created by Ellen Weirich, who dedicates her life to helping 'trans' women feel confident and comfortable in their skin.

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Ellen Weirich (centre) created 'Le Femme' finishing school where she helps transgender females become more feminine. Pictured: (L-R) Allison Hannigan, Ally Maguire, Ellen, Antoinette Dickinson and Denise Smith

The finishing school aims to help both cross-dressers and those transitioning to adopt the airs and graces of a woman, here Ellen gives advice on improving posture

The curriculum, led by 'Lady Ellen' includes lessons on how to walk gracefully in heels, how to speak like a lady, how to dress according to body shape and how to create a convincing cleavage.

Other services include a complete male-to-female makeover - and the ladies often go out and about as a group to put their new look and skills to the test.

Mother-of-three Ellen, who charges from $44 (£30) to $400 (£270) per session, has been helping the transgender community for decades.

She helped her first transgender woman in high school after a male friend confided that he was having gender identity issues.

The finishing school is held in Ellen's home which houses a vast collection of wigs, make-up and clothes which her clients have access to. Pictured: Antoinette, who identifies as dual gender, before and after transforming

Allison Hannigan (pictured) has a wife who is extremely supportive of her and has been visiting Ellen for a year

Ellen first began helping transgender women in high school when a friend confided in her with gender identity issues. Here she helps Antoinette to apply makeup

Ellen went on to get married and have three children, then in 2005 she received another cry for help from a transgender family friend.

Ellen says that she took it upon herself to help transitioning females become more feminine after realising that very few others were willing to.

'I noticed there was very little help available for transgender women who wanted to be more feminine.

'I had a good knowledge of transgender issues and felt like I could make a difference.'

Ellen says that it is an honour to have helped so many through such a momentous part of their lives.

'To help women who have suffered in silence for so long feels amazing and I'm blessed to be part of their journey.

Ellen off takes her clients on outings in order for them to practice their new-found skills

Ellen's collection of heels goes up to a size 15 in order to accommodate her larger footed client

'I've dedicated my life to helping transgender people and I can't imagine anything quite as rewarding.'

The school - which is run from Ellen's home - houses a huge wardrobe made up of a variety of outfits.

To accommodate some of her larger clients, the dresses go up to a size 28 and a stack of heels range in sizes nine to 15.

In the make-up studio, ladies-in-training are taught how to apply, including tips on how to disguise stubble.

Ellen says that it is an honour to be a part of such a momentous aspect of someone's life

Here Allison practices her walk which Ellen says is the most difficult part of her sessions

A photography studio helps captures the results of the transformation and gives clients a souvenir of their journey.

Ellen says that for the majority of her clients walking in heels proves the most challenging part of their lessons.

'One of the biggest challenges for transgender and cross-dressing women is learning to walk in a feminine way - so many classes focus on graceful footwork.

'It's difficult because they learn to walk a certain way for the whole of their lives and suddenly they're trying to change it - its takes a lot of practice and determination.'

One lady who has benefited from Ellen's tutelage is 48-year-old Allison Hannigan, who has been visiting the finishing school for over a year.

The eye application is said to be one of the more challenging areas for the women to conquer

The grateful client lives her day-to-day life as a man with a wife and two children - but visits to Ellen as Allison to learn techniques for putting on makeup and moving like a woman.

Allison says that visiting Ellen has really helped her to perfect her feminine traits such as applying makeup.

'I have been married for 21 years and have been with my wife for 25. She has known about Allison ever since we were dating and she is very supportive. She is everything to me, so are my children.

'The idea of attending Lady Ellen's charm school was very exciting to me. She has done a lot to help me develop over the year I have been associated with her.

'I'm having the eye make up application lessons and the female feminine movement lessons, which are great because eye makeup is the most difficult area for me to conquer - I think it is for most girls.

'I am a rather tall, large person so the feminine movements would be very helpful for me to try to perfect my look.'

Another of Ellen's regular customers for the finishing-school makeover is cross-dresser Antoinette Dickinson who has been visiting Ellen for four-and-a-half years.

Ellen's extensive wardrobe of clothes goes up to a size 28 to cater for all shapes and sizes

Ellen helps Antoinette choose her clothes, create realistic fake breasts using 'breast forms' and put on feminine makeup.

Antoinette, who identifies herself as dual gender, says that dressing as a woman gives him a sense of freedom.

'The first time I dressed in women's clothing I think was way back when I was a teenager I just loved the idea of hosiery on women and I thought to myself "hey what would I look like in that"?

'One day I said I just want to get a fully fledged makeover and see what I look like as a woman and that's basically how it happened.

'When I am in women's clothes it feels great, its just such a release. It's like I'm escaping reality and just like you can turn into a whole different person

'I would identify myself as dual gender. I am happy being both boy and a girl as opposed to different terms like transgender.