A stunning rhodium-finished dress is helping host one of this year's most keenly contested competitions – as dignitaries and members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gather in Singapore for the finial round of bids for the 2012 games.

IOC co-host Vivien Tan has had a bespoke dress made by prestigious local designer Frederick Lee in conjunction with Asian retailer Risis.

The exquisite $12,000 dress features hand-beaded orchids, finished with gold and rhodium.

Ms Tan told the Electric New Paper that while the dress was a stunning piece of work she would not be restricting herself for fear of damaging it.

"I'll still dine and wine as I believe that a gown is made to be worn," she said.

Designer Lee said the dress was "something very local yet modern to represent Singapore in the world stage".

The gown took more than 120 hours of work to complete and has been specially made for the one-off appearance as the IOC bigwigs gather.