How to have a well-dressed Vespa

Some scooter riders may have the retro crash helmet, the designer shades and the hand-stitched boots - but is their Vespa wearing the right clothes?

Members of London's growing army of scooter commuters now have the chance to buy some of the best turned-out machines in town, including one with Argyll- inspired bodywork designed by fashion guru Jasper Conran.

He is one of eight celebrities who have submitted designs for machines to be sold in an Art Vespa auction being held at Sotheby's in London on Tuesday in aid of the drugs charity Action on Addiction.

Conran's Vespa will be decked out in an Argyll pattern of pink and blue diamonds - possibly more appropriate for a day at the golf club than a Mod revival rally in Margate, but chic nonetheless.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star Nick Moran has produced a bullet-hole design in homage to the gun-toting theme of the hit movie, while TV presenter Donna Air's machine is covered with blue sky and clouds.

Photographer David Bailey has covered a Vespa in dark brown fake fur - which is of

questionable practicality on a rainy day in the city - and pop star and motorcycle enthusiast Simon Le Bon's effort is based on a sequin-covered Union Jack.

For the girl about town, however, there can be only one choice - the Bridget Jones scooter designed by writer Helen Fielding.

It incorporates essential devices such as a CD player for "blasting out Eagles' hits to create pleasing illusion of roaring along desert highway"; "box for small selection of Milk Tray chocolates"; "very large handbag holder" and "plug-in hair tongs to repair damage done by ludicrous helmet".

However, even the Bridget Jones creation will look tame at traffic lights alongside that of Notting Hill actor Rhys Ifans - he has submitted a Catholicism design, which incorporates crucifixes and incense burners in honour of the Vespa's Italian ancestry.

However, the art of sublime and ridiculous scootercustomising is far from new. In 1962, surrealist artist Salvador Dali decorated a 150cc model which was ridden around Europe by two students from the University of Madrid.

When he was told of the students' travel plans, Salvador Dali said they would surely go around the entire world on the scooter in 79 days - one day less than Phileas Fogg.

With that, the eccentric artist proceeded to paint the scooter with images of his lover, Gala, before adding his distinctive signature.

That machine is now thought to be the world's most valuable scooter and is on permanent display at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

The celebrity-designed scooters will be on show at Sotheby's in New Bond Street from today until the day of the auction.