How Victoria Beckham Went From Posh Spice to Prestige Fashion Designer
You already know the story of how Victoria Beckham came to prominence as a Spice Girl, but given how difficult it is to break into fashion—and be taken seriously—it's pretty unbelievable that "Posh" just celebrated 10 years as a prestige designer.
After the Spice Girls broke up in 2000, Beckham dabbled in modeling, solo music, and even design collaborations before ultimately deciding to launch her namesake brand in 2008. Becoming a fully fledged, respected designer came with its hurdles, though, like the assumption that Beckham's interest in fashion was of the fleeting variety. "I'm very aware of people's preconceptions," she told WWD in 2011. But she didn't let critics deter her from designing.
That persistence has paid off. In November the Victoria Beckham brand was valued at £100 million (or about $131.4 million, at the current exchange rate), according to The Telegraph. For her tenth anniversary, she decided to move her spring 2019 runway show from New York to London Fashion Week; the collection drew praise for its simple, tailored designs and age-inclusive casting. "What we did was celebrate being different. We showed it was OK to be who you are,” Beckham told Vogue backstage. “And that’s what this is about—empowering women through fashion.”
The journey from pop stardom to fashion powerhouse wasn't overnight, but Beckham made it happen. Ahead, we look back on her transformation from one fifth of the Spice Girls to stand-alone designer.
Early 1990s: A Spice Girl Is Born
1998: Posh Leans In to Her Look
As the Spice Girls continue their quest for global music domination, they embrace their nicknames and personalities, as well as some memorable matching lewks. Just think about Spice World: Posh spends the entire film in tiny body-con dresses and high heels—so on brand.
1999: 2 Become 1
In 1999 Posh became VB: She married soccer star David Beckham and took his name. (It’ll be important to her brand later.) Following the wedding (for which she wore a legendary Vera Wang gown), the two become tabloid favorites for their matchy-matchy outfits.
2000: Victoria Makes Her Fashion Week Debut
The Spice Girls break up, but VB doesn’t let that stall her fashion aspirations. Before she turned designer, though, Beckham took to modeling, walking in the Maria Grachvogel show at London Fashion Week in 2000.
2001: Victoria Goes Solo
In 2001 Beckham decided to pursue solo music. Her style at this point seemed to depart from her polished Posh Spice look (perhaps to differentiate the two eras), but it wouldn't last: Shortly after, Beckham reportedly told her former manager Simon Fuller that she no longer wanted to be a performer.
2001: Victoria Goes Solo
In 2001 Beckham decided to pursue solo music. Her style at this point seemed to depart from her polished Posh Spice look (perhaps to differentiate the two eras), but it wouldn't last: Shortly after, Beckham reportedly told her former manager Simon Fuller that she no longer wanted to be a performer.
2007: Spice Girls Reunite
The Spice Girls may have broken up in 2000, but they weren’t gone forever: The group reunited in 2007 for a North American tour that kicked off at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Signing on to the reunion also meant playing into Posh's signature look: a strapless sequined ballgown and matching fascinator.
September 2008: Reintroducing Victoria Beckham, the Designer
Beckham debuted her eponymous clothing line at New York Fashion Week in fall 2008, which Vogue described as “one of the hottest things going on” that season. At the beginning the collection was small, with a sheathlike dress as its centerpiece.
2011: Victoria Beckham Starts Racking Up Awards
Beckham proved her worth as a designer’s designer with her first formal industry award, Best Designer Brand at the British Fashion Awards, in 2011. Her label had grown rapidly since its 2008 launch, which Beckham said demonstrated her staying power as a designer. "Though I'm trying to take baby steps, the business is growing very quickly," she said. "Our turnover year-over-year has increased over 120 percent. I think to anyone's standards that's very impressive."
September 2018: Revisiting Her Fashion Introduction
Beckham commemorated 10 years in the fashion industry by revisiting the campaign she believed started it all. Shot by Juergen Teller, the designer recreated those Marc Jacobs ads from 2008—only this time, the bag had “Victoria Beckham” printed on the side. “I have always put all of me into my brand, and I wanted to convey that message with these images," she wrote on her website. "That I am and have been literally putting Victoria into Victoria Beckham since 2008!”
September 2018: The Homecoming Celebration
Beckham held her tenth anniversary show during London Fashion Week this September, her first time presenting a collection in Britain’s capital. It consisted of 30 looks, and took place inside her London flagship store. Beckham succinctly reflected on her journey from Spice Girl to designer in a touching Instagram post for the occasion: “So grateful for the past 10 years,” she wrote.