'I'm so sorry for crying... I'm being so rubbish!' Emotional Victoria Beckham is overcome as she is honoured at British Fashion Awards

By Sarah Bull and Andrea Magrath

Last updated at 9:08 AM on 29th November 2011

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She is usually known for her steely reserve in public.

But Victoria Beckham was overwhelmed with emotion last night at she was honoured with a top plaudit at the British Fashion Awards last night.

Accepting the award for Designer Brand of the Year from her friend Marc Jacobs, the 37-year-old broke down in tears before apologising to the star-studded audience.

'I'm so sorry for crying. I'm being so rubbish,' she said.

Emotional: Victoria Beckham fought back tears last night as she accepted the award for Designer Brand of the Year at the British Fashion Awards

Victoria, wearing a floor-length backless gown and her hair pulled into an elegant bun, paid tribute to her family during the emotional speech.

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• Sarah Burton, Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney take home top honours at British Fashion Awards
• Was that made from your dad's string vest, Kate? Fashion pack keep it quirky as they up the style stakes at British Fashion Awards

'I would like to thank the British fashion industry for your support,' she said. 'I'd like to thank my team, you all know who you are, your focus, your creativity - Simon Fuller, my parents, my kids and my husband. Without David I wouldn't have had the courage to do what I am doing.'

Afterwards Victoria said she felt sheepish for becoming tearful, explaining: 'I am so nervous, this means so much to me. I am overwhelmed.

Glamorous: The gown featured a low back and showed off Victoria's slender figure

'I was really trying to keep it together in the speech without bursting out crying.'

The excited star said that she couldn't wait to take her award home to show to her children. 'It's something for the kids to take to school for show-and-tell,' she said.

Her husband David, meanwhile, is in Jakarta with his football team LA Galaxy where they will be playing an exhibition game on November 30 against an Indonesian all-star team as part of their Asia Tour.

Flashing the flesh: Kelly Brook teamed the pretty dress with a pair of animal-print heels and a gold belt

However, he was quick to take to his Facebook page to congratulate his wife on her achievement, writing: 'The boys and I are incredibly proud of Victoria after winning a prestigious British Fashion Award tonight.

'She has worked so hard and deserves all the recognition. It's amazing what she has achieved tonight, very special.'

It has been a busy few days for the former Spice Girl, who jetted in from Los Angeles yesterday with baby daughter Harper.

Full-length glamour: Abbey Crouch and Poppy Delevigne both opted for sweeping gowns

Where's your baby weight gone? Abbey looked slender as she posed for photographers outside the awards

But there was no signs of jetlag as Victoria smouldered for the cameras at the event.
Posing up with famous friends including Kate Moss and Marc Jacobs, Victoria was undoubtedly delighted that her designs were recognised at such a prestigious event.
There was a very fashionable crowd at the ceremony, including Samantha Cameron, Kelly Brook, Abbey Crouch, David Gandy and Kate Hudson.

Posing up: Stella, who won the Red Carpet Award, posed for photographers with friend Kate Hudson

Hot mama: Kate Hudson looked amazing in a sexy black sheer dress as she posed for photographers

Kelly Brook wore an angelic one-shouldered white dress, which featured a sexy thigh-high split.
The 32-year-old star teamed the dress with a pretty gold belt and a pair of animal-print heels as she posed for photographers.
Before the event, Kelly admitted she was feeling a little weary, tweeting: 'Back to London British Fashion Awards tonight! #tired'

Hoping to catch something? Kate Moss arrived for the ceremony wearing an unusual netted dress

Fashion pack: Victoria posed up with Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss inside the event

Abbey Crouch who wore a form-fitting suede studded dress that showed off her post-baby figure for the occasion.
Also at the awards, held at London's exclusive Savoy Hotel, were fashion stars including Marc Jacobs and Annie Lennox's daughter Tali, who shone in a pretty gold gown.
Alexa Chung wore a cute silver and white Christopher Kane number, while Poppy Delevigne opted for a dramatic paisley-printed number.

Trend setters: Olivia Palermo and Alexa Chung wore typically eye-catching outfits at The Savoy

Fashion's hottest young stars: Georgia May Jagger, Amber Le Bon and Tali Lennox shone at the awards

Trendsetter Olivia Palermo went for a ruffled knitted dress as models Georgia May Jagger and Amber Le Bon displayed their slim figures in detailed dresses.
Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth decided to make the event a date night by attending with his wife Livia, who looked stunning in a gorgeous emerald-green silk dress.
The pair, who married in 1997, looked more in love than ever as they posed for photographers at the event.

Keeping it simple: Samantha Cameron and Amanda Wakeley both wore black outfits as they posed on the blue carpet

Firth, who took home the coveted Best Actor prize for his role in last year's hit movie The King's Speech, has spoken frequently about his love for his wife, and credited her support for his success.
Accepting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this year, Firth said at the ceremony: 'When I look down there at that star, it's her name I see.'
Not everybody got it right at the prestigious awards ceremony, however.

Date night: Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth attended with his stunning wife, Livia Giuggioli

Party people: Kelly Brook and Abbey Clancy (left) and David Gandy let their hair down at the event

Stella McCartney, who usually looks effortlessly chic at such events, missed the mark in an unflattering jumpsuit while Daphne Guinness went for another Lady Gaga-esque outfit in a geometric black dress.
However, despite her fashion faux pas, Stella took home the Red Carpet Award at the event, while the main winner at the evening was named as Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

Fashion royalty: Alexander McQueen and Royal Wedding dress designer Sarah Buton was honoured with Designer of the Year, while Daphne Guinness was in a typically bizarre ensemble

Burton shot to fame when she was revealed as the designer of the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Alexa Chung took home the British Style Award, voted for by the public, for the second year in a row.

Here come the boys: Designer Henry Holland, who appeared to have forgotten his socks, and James Long at the awards

BRITISH FASHION AWARDS 2011, LIST OF WINNERS:

Designer Of The Year - Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

Designer Brand - Victoria Beckham

Red Carpet Award - Stella McCartney

Accessory Designer - Charlotte Olympia

Model - Stella Tennant

British Style Award - Alexa Chung

Menswear Designer - Kim Jones

Emerging Talent Award - Accessories - Tabitha Simmons

Emerging Talent Award - Menswear - Christopher Raeburn

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator - Sam Gainsbury

New Establishment Award - Christopher Kane

BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion - Paul Smith