Supermodel Eva Herzigova was upstaged by Elizabeth Hurley at the world premiere of Valentino: The Last Emperor at the Venice Film Festival last night.

The 34-year-old Czech beauty looked stunning as she showed off post-baby body in the floor-length white gown as her partner Gregorio Marsiaj looked on.

But her shining moment was quickly usurped by a woman nine years older, who looked stunning in a plunging satin Valentino gown.

Curvy lady: Elizabeth Hurley upstaged Eva Herzigova with her plunging satin gown, which showed off her curves to perfection

Charlize Theron, Diane Kruger, Claire Danes, and a host of other supermodels joined the stellar guestlist in Venice.

The stars graced the red carpet at Teatro La Fenice and were afterwards joined by further guests to go on to a lavish afterparty at the city’s Guggenheim Museum.

Miss Hurley, who arrived on the arm of husband Arun Nayar, extolled the designer's virtues, calling him a 'great friends and enormous talent'.

Earlier today, the designer spoke to reporters about the movie, his idea of style and elegance and his choice of the most treasured celebrity dress he has ever made.

Dressed to impress: Liz Hurley and her husband Aran Nayar were among the guest

Valentino paid tribute to Julia Roberts when asked to name favourite actresses who have donned his clothes. 

Valentino was giving a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, which has screened an intimate fly-on-the-wall film documenting the final couple of years before his retirement.

Roberts accepted an Oscar for her performance in Erin Brockovich in 2001 wearing an elegant vintage black and white Valentino gown.

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Dressed to impress: Actresses Claire Danes and Diane Kruger

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Full length and fabulous: Charlize Theron and Tamara Beckwith

When asked to name the actresses who stood out for him, the designer said:'There is a long list of movie stars who have worn my dresses.

'But I have to be very sincere, the person that makes me feel very happy, also because (she) chose vintage, was Julia Roberts, when she got the Academy Award... I was very excited to see her when she appeared with my dress. It’s very important for stars to like your clothes.'

Valentino went on to give some of his own style tips.

‘I have dressed a lot of beautiful women but also those who were less conventional. Women today can learn to become elegant with a little savoir faire.

Stylish pair: Model Natalia Vodianova and husband Justin Portman

'There are so many ways to become elegant – but you must not over do it. It’s all about doing things to the correct measure.’

Valentino: The Last Emperor is billed as a glimpse into a world of bygone glamour.

The designer announced his retirement in 2007, two months after a lavish three day celebration in Rome of 45 years in the fashion industry which drew a huge celebrity turnout.

Filmed from June 2005 to July 2007, the crew shot hundreds of hours of footage of one of Italy's most prominent designers and his entourage, including his six pug dogs, which follow Valentino everywhere and even have their teeth brushed.

Man of the moment Valentino at the bash (right) and Julia Roberts wearing vintage Valentino dress when she won the Best Actress Oscar in 2001

As well as lifting the lid on the fashion world, it shows tender moments from Valentino's 50-year relationship with Giancarlo Giammetti, who said the film was 'not a story of money or fashion - it is a story of love'.

The designer and Giammetti began as boyfriends in the early 1960s and became life business partners who built up a billion dollar fashion business.