The cover-up girls

It was the night when some of the world's most beautiful women showed classic elegance can never be beaten.

While some award shows have become chances to reveal as much as possible, Joely Richardson and Jodi Kidd showed how less really is more. With elegant floor-sweeping outfits, the actress and the model stole the show as the Royal Albert Hall hosted the beauty world's Oscars.

Kidd, 23, drew admiring glances for her simple backless white gown, which the supermodel wore with simple jewellery and a matching white wrap.

And 37-year-old Richardson's Valentino gold silk shirt and matching gold roll-necked jumper was also in keeping with the night's theme of elegance, revealing nothing in the way of flesh - but everything about how to dress.

Supermodel Helena Christensen, 31, modelled a classic little black dress, while television star Amanda Holden, 32, arrived in a simple grey dress which avoided plunging necklines or long slits.

The women were on show at last night's Pantene Pro-V spirit of Beauty Awards, hosted by Absolutely Fabulous stars Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders, who also left their characters' garish outfits at home, preferring to stick to simple black. The show saw awards given to Elizabeth Hurley and David Beckham - although neither was there to pick them up. Hurley was named most stylish female celebrity, beating Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker and Cat Deeley, while Beckham triumphed over actors Brad Pitt, Jude Law and Ewan McGregor.

Other stars who showed that elegance may well be the new black included Tania Bryer, who picked up Hurley's award on her behalf in a long black gown, and model Sophie Anderton, who matched Bryer's black dress with one of her own.

Tamzin Outhwaite also stuck to a discreet black outfit, but there were more eye-catching dresses on display.

Rachel Hunter, who arrived without boyfriend Robbie Williams, chose an aquamarine skirt slashed to the thigh and matched it with a figure-hugging bodice top.

Nell McAndrew, who starred in I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, also took the bodice approach with a long blue gown matched to a clinging shoulderless top.

And Lady Victoria Hervey raised fashion-conscious eyebrows in a shocking Scott Henshall catsuit cut to the waist and held up by a glittering golden band screaming the Batman-style pop art slogan "Pow!"