Victoria, who is a size six, was careful to cover her rear in this layered dress after her body shape was dramatically changed by airbrushing in the artwork advertising the perfume, Intimately Beckham.

In the poster campaign which emerged last week, her derriere had been lifted and expanded, giving it a look more than reminiscent of famously curvy actress Jennifer Lopez. She had also been given Tina Turner-style thunderthighs instead of the spindly legs fans are used to seeing squeezed into drainpipe jeans.

The choice of Venice to launch the perfume amazed some - as the city of canals, despite its beauty, is known for its unhealthy smell. A stagnant smell hangs over Venice during the summer months and the situation has been made worse in recent days thanks to a current heatwave.

One local said: "There is always an overwhelming stench in the air over Venice but this year it's even worse because of the weather.

"Maybe the Beckhams can spray some of their scent around the canals to freshen up the air and make it more pleasant."

The event fell right in the middle of the Venice Film Festival and was expected to be attended by the Beckhams favourite designers Dolce and Gabbana as well as Donatella Versace.

Beckham, who sparked a frenzy yesterday after bungling a question in Spanish and said Victoria was pregnant, is due to fly in with his wife from London.

The his and hers aftershave and perfume are called Intimately Beckham and cost ¡ê19.45 and bear the Beckhams' logo of their joint initials DVB.

They were officially uneviled at a ceremony at the canalside Palazzo Pisani Moretta last night. The famous 600 year old Gothic building overlooks the Grand Canal and has been hired for the event by French PR firm Short Cut.

The palazzo usually holds the famous ball which marks the start of the annual Venice Carnival every February.

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