Victoria Beckham lost out on an award but took home the satisfaction of sending photographers in a tizzy over capturing her tanned thigh through a dangerously high slit. The real winners of the British Fashion Awards 2010 chose to keep it conservative in covered-up black

Phoebe Philo embodies French luxury fashion house Celine's sparse spirit. On a sub-zero Tuesday evening in London, the 37 year-old creative director of the company stood huddled with friends outside the Savoy Hotel and Theatre. With a tailored jacket framing her frail shoulders, fingers lightly holding a cigarette, Philo maintained an eerily sagacious demeanour.

A few steps away, the anxious paparazzi went into overdrive to capture the rehearsed seduction of former Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff on a red carpet laid out on December 7 for the British Fashion Awards 2010.

Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice) made sure she dazzled on the red
carpet, if not up on stage, dressed in a teasing-sexy black dress with a
thigh-high flash, from her own Spring/Summer 2011 collection and Brian
u00a0Atwood Dante pumps for the British Fashion Awards held at the Savoy,
London on December 7 . British prime minister David Cameron's wife
Samantha kept it cautious in a won't-reveal-anything Osman Yousefzada
gown.
pics/rex features

Daisy Lowe, British model
She chose a black and gold lace and tulle floor-length Ellie Saab gown,
with sequins on the bodice. Smoky eyes and a messy updo. Dainty Goth.

Emma Roberts, actress
We loved the Julien Macdonald dress with a bare back scattered with
lace florets.

Claudia Schiffer, supermodel
She came dressed in a sensational Mary Katrantzou ensemble with a
sash effect. We love the metallic blaze that copper fires up dull black with.

Alexa Chung, british model and TV presenter
The West loves its black and greys, but on a cold winter night, we'd go
for colour. Blame it on our tropical genes. The baby pink Chanel frock
coat went well with Alexa's girlie fringe bob. The leather biker jacket,
black petticoat and polka-dotted tights helped add an edge to the
candyfloss style.

Kelly Brook, British model and actress
It was tough to take your eyes off her corseted split black and grey
Suzie Turner gown worn with black strappy Jimmy Choo heels. And the
wide smile only added to the sex appeal.

Later in the night, Philo accepted the BFC Designer of the Year award, scoring over celebrated fellow designers Christopher Kane and Erdem ufffd still unfazed by the attention.u00a0u00a0

Established in 1989, the British Fashion Awards sprung up as an offshoot of the British Fashion Council's then five year-old Designer of the Year Award. Considered the fashion industry's "Oscars", the annual affair recognises the most influential names in fashion, while celebrating the reputation and development of British fashion.

Designers Giles Deacon, Gareth Pugh and Christopher Bailey made a quick dash inside the heavily guarded fortress-like venue, leaving the ladies to soak in the spotlight. Between a sea of flutes of bubbly and platters of hors d'oeuvres, bow ties and black gowns sauntered languidly; and then there were the few who took chances with pastels.
u00a0
Television host and winner of the British Style Award, Alexa Chung kept it playful with a pale pink Chanel dress.

Former supermodel Claudia Schiffer chose a sheath dress by 2010 Swiss Textile Award-winner Mary Katrantzou.
Hollywood actress Thandie Newton wore a textured Peter Pilotto, and Model of the Year Lara Stone shared her
excitement of her "very first award" in a white Calvin Klein drape dress offset by smoky eye make-up.

Everyone's favourite WAG and footballer David Beckham's wife, Victoria earned her first nomination in the Designer Brand category. Though she lost the white, ruler-shaped BFA trophy to lifestyle brand Mulberry, a black dress from her self-designed Spring/Summer 2011 collection, dangerously sliced to show off her tanned legs, created enough buzz.

The theatre auditorium quietly dazzled in lush satin, as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played classical and contemporary tunes on an evening hosted by presenter Claudia Winkleman, flashing her highly mulled-over thick fringe.u00a0u00a0

The event introduced new winners, celebrated the late Lee Alexander McQueen's off-kilter creativity with a three-and-a-half minute film by photographer Nick Knights, and played audience to an emotional Special Recognition recipient and supermodel Naomi Campbell. While her teary-eyed speech spawned a whispered debate within seconds (real or glycerine?), the seemingly overwhelmed supermodel thanked her mother, and partner who puts up with a "wild, wild woman".u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

British prime minister David Cameron'su00a0 wife Samantha recently hired by the British Fashion Council to play adviser to London Fashion Week starting February, let down supporters of her edgy style by keeping it conservative in a floor-sweeping Osman Yousefzada gown teamed with Next shoes.

With the 39 year-old leaving most of it to imagination, just her arms and neck exposed, it's her waif-like waistline that drew the stares. 'No one is allowed to have that pinched waist just four months after giving birth!' other mommies must be shrieking.