Before Victoria Beckham became a renowned fashion designer, many people were aware of her previous career. However, this season, Beckham is unveiling a whole new backstory.
During a preview of her latest collection in Paris, Beckham revealed, “From the age of three until I joined the Spice Girls, I aspired to be a ballet dancer. One thing I find incredibly unique about dancers is their posture and the way they carry themselves, which stands out even when they are traveling on the tube.”
Beckham’s dance student attire, including leg warmers, an oversized knitwear piece with a dramatically exposed shoulder, and even hair nets, received a chic transformation for a show held at a stunning 18th-century Parisian townhouse once occupied by Karl Lagerfeld.
Flowing grey jersey dresses draped elegantly over the hips, capturing the effortless grace of dancers in a rehearsal studio. Soft blue and green eveningwear garments took inspiration from Edgar Degas’s famous ballet dancer studies, emulating the pastel hues.
Beckham even reminisced, “I took out my old pointe shoes and did some pointe work in the kitchen at home. Harper, my daughter, was quite impressed with my skills. It’s like riding a bike.” A tutu that had been “dragged down from my mom’s loft” became the muse for a delicate cocktail dress crafted from tissue-thin mint-colored tulle. Beckham humorously added, “The girls in the design studio had a good laugh seeing me twirling around in a tutu after all these years.”
The Victoria Beckham brand is now a significant enterprise. The launched beauty ranges in 2019 have proven highly profitable, constituting half of the business. The brand is further expanding by introducing the inaugural Victoria Beckham fragrances during Paris fashion week.
David Belhassen, the founder and managing partner of Neo, which acquired a £30m minority stake in Victoria Beckham in 2017, stated that the fragrance launch “elevates Victoria Beckham to the status of a fashion house.”
Beckham relocated her fashion show from London to Paris a year ago and expressed feeling warmly embraced by the city. However, this collection incorporates elements paying homage to the British countryside where she spends most weekends.
She shared, “We often visit this charming antique store on Sundays, and I enjoy browsing through vintage tablecloths and napkins. It reminds me of visiting my grandparents.” These vintage discoveries inspired the creation of cotton sundresses adorned with scalloped edges and delicate doily cutouts.
A medieval hunting lodge on the outskirts of Paris served as a modernist runway for Loewe, the Spanish luxury brand that has gained a cult following under the guidance of Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson.
“A high-waisted trouser can enhance the body in a sensual manner while maintaining a sophisticated look,” Anderson expressed after the show. The current season favors the “personality trouser,” characterized by its high-waisted, wide-legged, or otherwise distinctive features, which is evident on both the catwalk and the front row.