Elson, 30, the flame-haired “discovery” from Oldham, Manchester, who has become a global fashion star, arrived on the stage at the Royal Courts of Justice to present the Fashion Creator award – and seconds later disappeared.
She walked straight into an ill-concealed “orchestra pit” and promptly disappeared from sight.
All the audience of fashion luminaries, including Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham, saw was a flash of Elson’s red velvet, Alexander McQueen fishtail gown, as she tumbled four feet downwards into the darkness.
Elson, who is the wife of The White Stripes frontman, Jack White, with whom she has a daughter and son, made a miraculous recovery.
She appeared, back on stage, within minutes, declaring:”I am the clumsiest person on this earth. I cannot believe I just did that.
"That is the worst fall I have ever had. I might have broken a rib, but I’m fine.”
Elson, a former winner of the British Model of the Year fashion “oscar”, went on to present The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator to the creative director of American Vogue, the British-born Grace Coddington, who emerged as the “star” of the recent ‘frockumentary, “The September Issue".
The incident revived memories of Naomi Campbell's wipeout during Vivienne Westwood's 1993 Anglomania show after attempting to walk in 10 inch heels.
One onlooker said: "It was a spectacular fall from grace but she handled it well."
Other award winners at the industry "Oscars" included Christopher Bailey, who was named ‘Designer of the Year’ for turning heritage brand, Burberry, into a global luxury label, and Georgia May Jagger, the 17-year-old daughter of the Rolling Stone Sir Mick Jagger, who was named ‘Model of the Year’, following her international success as the “face” of Hudson Jeans and the Versace spring/summer 2010 campaign.