The former Spice Girl borrowed heavily from the 60s model's look as she stepped out in New York.

She copied her style with oversized sunglasses, a neatly-tailored dress, opaque tights and bobbed hair. She even appeared to be mimicking the very way Twiggy walked, neatly tucking her hands in behind her back.

Victoria has been desperate to be considered a fashion icon ever since her pop career took a dive. In recent weeks since her husband David was dropped from the England football squad, the pair have appeared in public in increasingly stylised outfits as they have struggled to maintain interest in Brand Beckham.

When they launched a new fragrance in Venice last week, David wore what looked like an oversized baker's hat, grubby jeans and a waistcoat. Two days later, Victoria was photographed in the same hat, prompting cruel jibes that they looked like the Bisto kids.

Victoria has been criticised recently for her slender looks. At the age of 32, she has the waist measurement of a seven year old child. But after stern words - and strict instructions - from her husband David, she is now understood to be on a mission to 'fatten up'.

With expert nutritional advice at his fingertips, the Real Madrid star has put his wife on a carbohydrate-laden diet.

It is hoped that by putting on more weight and increasing her body fat percentage the singer turned fashion designer will be able to conceive the couple's fourth child more easily.

'David knows that Victoria struggles with her body image and thrives on being thin - but he is desperate to see her with a few more curves,' said a source close to the Beckhams.

'David has pleaded with her in the past to put on weight, but now he's finally taken serious action and given her a diet plan to ensure that she fattens up.

'Her new diet will be very carbohydrate-driven, and rather than picking at sushi and steamed vegetables, she will be tucking into lots of bread, pasta and brown rice - even crisps if that's what she fancies.'

The regime comes after the Mail revealed that she had become a 'thinspiration' for anorexics. It also emerged that she had to have her clothes altered to stop them from swamping her rail-thin frame.