She's one Hollywood's most glamorous young stars often praised for her sense of style and elegance.

However Mischa Barton has fallen foul to that much-dreaded social faux-pas - treading in dog mess.

The beautiful 22-year-old, sporting a pair of pink butterfly wings, was leaving the Hero Awards in Los Angeles with her mother when she took a wrong step and stood in the canine excrement.

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What a big mess! Mischa Barton steps in canine excrement while attending the Hero Awards in Los Angeles

Fortunately Barton appeared unfazed by the mishap when it was pointed out to her by another guest.

The British-born actress does not seem to be enjoying much luck on screen or off since leaving popular TV show The OC.

She pulled out of the Cannes premiere of her latest movie, You And I, because she allegedly thought the film was awful.

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Mischa often wins praise for her sartorial style. The actress combines boho-chic with fancy-dress

Last month pictures of her sunbathing topless in Australia revealing very dimpled thighs shocked fans.

In December 2007 she was arrested in Los Angeles and charged with possession of marijuana, driving under the influence, driving without a licence and driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

The star spent about seven hours in jail on the night of her arrest and was later released on $10,000 bail.

"I don't know what to say about it except I'm not perfect," she said after the incident.