Freezing for fashion! A-listers brave Arctic temperatures to showcase acres of skin in glamorous but barely-there frocks - but Kelly Brook struggles to maintain her modesty in the chilly wind 

• There were triumphs and tears at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 
• Some went OTT in their sartorial choices while others opted for classic
• Kelly Brook was left red-faced as a gust of wind caused her to lose her modesty

By Anna-lou Weatherley For Mailonline and Luisa Metcalfe For Mailonline

Published: 18:18 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 05:56 EST, 23 November 2015

It may have been one of the coldest nights of the year so far with temperatures dropping to a mere three degrees - but that didn't stop showbiz's biggest stars from daring to bare.

A bevy of glamorous A-list celebrities stepped out on the red carpet of the Evening Standard Theatre Awards ceremony tonight showing off uncovered arms, bare legs and plunging necklines - proving that the weather forecast was clearly far from their mind.

Salma Hayek raised eyebrows with her eye-popping dress that proved the extreme cleavage trend is one look that is set to stay, while Kelly Brook showed off an on-trend velvet gown - she didn't bargain on the winds that whipped the fabric away to expose her legs and her underwear.

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Nicole Kidman beat tough competition to walk away with the best actress award and arguably the best outfit

The Fall star Gillian Anderson (left) looked svelte and sophisticated in unseasonable low cut dress and strappy sandals

Kate Beckinsale glided along the red carpet in a printed floating dress that looked perfect for a summer - not November - night

Kate's stunning gown is from the Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition Fall 2015 Couture collection and the baroque floral print looks like it has been lifted straight from the walls of a palace

However stunning Kelly managed to smile and laugh off the wardrobe malfunction, clutching the sides of the skirt to spare her modesty although eagle-eyed onlookers were given a brief glimpse of the model's underwear. 

Others may have been surprised to see Rochester-born Kelly, 35, wearing a dress in a similar shade to the carpet itself - but her choice sartorial slip-up made sure she stole the show on a night honouring the stars of stage and theatre.

Among honorees and guests including Vogue editor Anna Wintour, Brian May and Anita Dobson, Suki Waterhouse's sister Immy and Gemma Arterton, Hollywood names like Kate Beckinsale and Nicole Kidman lent their star power to the London even which was held in partnership with celebrity restaurant The Ivy.

Kate Beckinsale put her relationship troubles to one side and looked radiant in a flowing Greek-themed print dress that wouldn't look out of place on a balmy summer's night.

The English beauty was all smiles despite the recent news that her marriage of 11 years to director Len Wiseman was rumoured to have come to an end.

X Files beauty Gillian Anderson stunned in a classic Fifties-style 'wiggle' dress which enhanced the actress's svelte physique and showcased her impressive cleavage - without a goosebump in sight. 

The usually impeccably styled Joely Richardson made a rare fashion faux pas in an oversized gold lame jumpsuit that swamped her petite frame and threatened to trip her up on the red carpet; Pixie Lott teamed her skimpy velvet number with a matching neck scarf in an attempt to beat the chill as she prepares to tread the boards as Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany's next summer

Salma Hayek raised eyebrows with her eye-popping dress that proves the extreme cleavage trend is one look that is set to stay. Gemma Arterton showed off her curves in a pink dress

Hollywood actress Salma Hayek surpassed herself when she attended the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in conjunction with The Ivy on Sunday. Pouring herself into the revealing number, she left many fans open-mouthed with her undeniably busty appearance at London's The Old Vic

Pixie Lott, 24, also worked the new velvet trend in a black cocktail frock with a thigh-skimming split, a deep V neckline and a few pieces of string in lieu of straps although she seemed to be feeling the chill as she finished off her look with a black velvet bandana.

Although the Bromley-born singer wasn't nominated for an award, she is a veteran of stage school having attended the Italia Conti and, fresh off the Putting' On The Ritz UK Tour, the former Strictly star is set to play Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany's at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London’s West End next summer.

Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman wins plaudits both for her gong for best actress for her role as pioneering scientist Rosalind Franklin in Photograph 51 and her sophisticated lace gown.

The Australian actress beat Denise Gough, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lia Williams to clinch the coveted award for her performance in Anna Ziegler's play at the Noel Coward theatre, which has been described as 'a triumph' in her first stint treading boards in London for 17 years.  

Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who was nominated for her performance as Nell Gwyn, was one of the few stars who kept her shoulders and cleavage covered; Anne-Marie Duff opted for a shimmering gold strapless number to support husband James McAvoy who was honoured for his role in The Ruling Class at the Trafalgar Studios

Kelly Brook showed off more than she planned when a gust of wind send the fabric of her velvet frock flying exposing her lacy undies

Oops! Kelly Brook is left giggling awkwardly after her style faux pas on the red carpet 

That's better! Kelly, who has been modelling for years, posed up a storm in her deep purple velvet gown after her initial style mishap

Gugu Mbatha-Raw, 32, who was nominated for her performance as Nell Gwyn at the Shakespeare's Globe, was one of the few stars who kept her shoulders and cleavage covered up on the night.

Opting for a mint-green lace column gown - lace appeared to be a popular sartorial choice on the night - she accessorised her demure look with a small silver box-clutch and a classic up-do. 

The actress, who first gained prominence in a recurring role in Doctor Who playing companion's Martha Jones' sister, Tish Jones was nominated for Best actress, but was pipped to the post by Nicole Kidman.

Anna-Marie Duff attended the star-studded event in a supporting role, this time to offer husband James McAvoy her support as he was honoured for his performance in The Ruling Class at Trafalgar Studios.

Ruth Wilson, who was critically acclaimed for her role in the thriller The Affair, also showed off her arms and shoulders in a fairy tale-inspired frock; actress Lia Williams was one of few appropriately dressed stars in a black dress and tights after being nominated for her turn in Oresteia at the Almeida Theatre and Trafalgar Studios

Suki Waterhouse's little sister, Immy, who also works as a model, wowed in a cut-out black and gold gown 

Immy, who has modelled for Urban Outfitters, Coast and Asda, played it safe in a classic black dress but showcased her enviably long legs in the flattering number 

Jessica Brown Findlay looked in need of a warm cardie in a low-cut asymmetric dress just weeks after Downton Abbey came to an end

Martin Freeman and wife Amanda Abbington wrapped up against the cold: The Sherlock star looked dapper in a well-cut three-piece suit, while his actress wife wore two things that were notably absent on anyone else - a pair of tights and a jacket

Despite a majority of the stars paying scant sartorial regard when it came to the weather, it seems some did appear more prepared for the icy November chill than others.

Queen rocker Brian May and his veteran actress wife Anita Dobson both had the right idea on the night, both opting to keep cosy in warm coats.

Ruth Wilson however, who was critically acclaimed for her role in the thriller The Affair, happily braved the elements and showed off her arms and shoulders in a fairy tale-inspired frock.

Actress Lia Williams, who was nominated for her turn in Oresteia at the Almeida Theatre and Trafalgar Studios, alongside Denise Gough and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, displayed a bare neck in a black Geisha-inspired outfit. She did however eschew the bare-legged look that was popular at the event by wearing a pair of thick black tights. 

Party fixture Bip Ling was one of the most eccentrically-dressed attendees on the night teaming a cropped fur coat with a hot pink beret, a tasselled flapper dress and white high-heeled mules

Looking equally quirky was celebrity stylist Louby McLoughlin who teamed summery pastels with clashing floral prints and knee-high black boots

Shirley Bassey looked radiant - and practical - in a midnight blue lace dress with maribou feather shrug; Imelda Staunton, who won best musical performance for her part as Mama Rose in the musical Gypsy, chose a black shift with an assymetric neckline and ruching

Lord of The Rings star, Martin Freeman and his actress wife Amanda Abbington also wrapped up against the cold. 

The Sherlock star looked dapper in a well-cut three-piece suit, while his wife opted for a black and gold brocade dress which she teamed with two things that were noticeably missing on many other attendees - tights and a leather biker jacket.

Not every guest at the glamorous awards ceremony turned heads for the right reasons: socialite Party fixture Bip Ling certainly drew glances in her quirky ensemble by teaming a cropped fur coat with a hot pink beret, a tasseled flapper dress and white high-heeled mules.

Not to be outdone in the eccentricity stakes, celebrity stylist Louby McLoughlin put together summery pastels with clashing floral prints and knee-high black boots for the event.

Natalie Dew covered her arms but bravely kept her legs bare after being nominated for her part in Bend It Like Beckham

Medea star Kate Fleetwood arrived with theatre director husband Rupert Goold in a striking ensemble of sheer blouse and scarlet midi skirt

Theatre director Indhu Rubasingham laughed on the red carpet in a printed teal and black floor-length gown and kept her hands warm in the in built pockets

 A seasonal scarlet red was seemingly a hot favourite among the many glamorous guests including Natalie Dew who covered her arms but bravely kept her legs bare after being nominated for her part in Bend It Like Beckham. 

And Medea star Kate Fleetwood arrived with theatre director husband Rupert Goold in a striking ensemble of sheer blouse and scarlet midi skirt which she accessorised with matching lipstick and a faux fur belt.

Others chose a more traditional approach when it came to colour. Les Miserables star Hadley Fraser cut a dash in a deep midnight blue three-piece suit. The stage star was there to support his wife Rosealie Craig who received a nomination for Best Musical Performance for City of Angels at the Donmar Warehouse.

Rosalie looked feminine and demure in a matching midnight blue lace and sequinned gown, if a little chilly. For some, there were small mercies, as theatre director Indhu Rubasingham laughed on the red carpet in a printed teal and black floor-length gown and kept her hands warm in the in-built pockets of her dress - a design factor she looked quite pleased about. 

Emma McQuiston looked glamorous in a gold gown, left, whilst Penelope Wilton opted for a more casual look wearing tailored black trousers and a vibrant pink bomber 

Veteran actress Vanessa Redgrave arrived at the awards ceremony with husband Franco Nero in a chic cream silk trouser suit and matching coat. The Natasha Richardson Best actress award, which went to Nicole Kidman, was named after her late daughter who died in a tragic skiing accident

Veteran stage performer Elaine Paige pictured alongside Justin Mollinson wore a beaded midi length dress with a low cut neckline to celebrate the stars of the stage

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