"I'd better thank him," said Stella. "And I would like to thank my mum. I give this to her."

She went on to make a plea against the fur trade, saying: "If there is anybody here thinking of buying a fur coat this year, please don't. Don't make animals fashion victims."

Among the other winners were Macy Gray for the most fashionable artist, who wore a navy outfit with metal studs around the neck and pant cuffs to the awards ceremony.

The award for male celebrity with most style went to British actor Jude Law, beating fellow actors George Clooney, Russell Crowe and Samuel L Jackson.

Spice gossip

Among the celebrities in the audience were two of the Spice Girls, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham.

"I rang the other two this morning to see if there was any truth in the stories. Nobody is pregnant. I don't know where they got the story from in the first place," said Emma Bunton.

Most of the winners were chosen by a group of fashion editors, journalists, stylists, designers, photographers and models.

The Designer of the Year, Most Stylish Video and Visionary Video were determined by visitors to the VH1 and Vogue Web sites.

The show will be transmitted on VH1 on 3 November.

Full list of winners:

• Celebrity Style (Female): Chloe Sevigny
• Celebrity Style (Male): Jude Law
• Most Fashionable Artist (Female): Macy Gray
• Most Fashionable Artist (Male): Enrique Iglesias
• Avant Garde Designer: Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga
• Model of the Year: Carmen Kass
• Designer of the Year: Stella McCartney
• Most Stylish Video: Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt
• Visionary Video: Stand Inside Your Love by Smashing Pumpkins
• Versace Award: Jennifer Lopez