Two years and four seasons have passed since Victoria Beckham made her mark on the international fashion scene with her Paris debut – a defining moment that cemented her status as a serious designer. “I’m just so happy to be part of the conversation. This is me doing it my way,” she told Vogue, embracing the “daunting, but fun” experience.
But Beckham’s “way” goes beyond just designing clothes. It’s about embodying the brand, showcasing her personal style as a powerful marketing tool. Remember, this isn’t your typical designer pulling all-nighters in the studio. This is Victoria Beckham, matriarch of a family empire, fitness guru, beauty entrepreneur, and fashion figurehead, now also poised to take on the world of Netflix.
Every outing, from her hotel, La Réserve, to the atelier, is a meticulously crafted presentation. Paris Fashion Week is, at its core, a trade show, and every street-style moment is an opportunity to promote the brand. Victoria, a master of the art of subtle promotion, rarely carries a shoulder bag, opting instead for a tightly-held pochette as a prime canvas for showcasing her leather goods, a vital lifeline for any fashion house. Her footwear and belts, too, are strategically displayed against her signature black ensembles, occasionally punctuated by vibrant, camera-friendly jewel tones.
Recently, Beckham has shifted her allegiance in handbags, favoring the esteemed Hermes family, flaunting a well-publicized collection of Birkins and Kellys. Holding an unclasped Birkin, revealing nothing of her busy daily life, is a statement of her elite status, a clear sign that she was born for the Parisian stage.
Her affinity for Balenciaga’s pantaboots and Alaïa’s stilettos further solidifies her position as a designer’s designer, someone who deeply appreciates the artistry of her peers. Attending the front rows of other industry heavyweights like Rick Owens and Simon Porte Jacquemus is a strategic move, showcasing her appreciation and cementing her place within the fashion elite. Imagine that dinner party!
Another hallmark of a designer’s designer is the meticulously curated uniform. Creative directors often live in a rotation of luxurious basics, a blank canvas for their own creative expressions. Victoria’s wardrobe revolves around high-waisted trousers with a belt, artfully undone blouses, form-fitting ruched midi-dresses, oversized yet impeccably tailored jackets, square-framed sunglasses, and vertiginous heels. Even when her foot was encased in a medical boot last season, she never succumbed to the allure of a tracksuit. Instead, she paired her brace with a single Alaïa Le Cœur pump, a testament to her unwavering dedication to her personal image.
This season, with the cast off her foot and her confidence radiating, Beckham has nothing left to prove. A transformative autumn haircut, a blockbuster TV deal, a growing celebrity following, and a thriving bottom line contribute to the effortless confidence with which she strolls through the French capital in “scruffy” Balenciaga. With her runway lines going from strength to strength – “I’m really designing what I desire – a woman-to-woman collection,” she said last season – Beckham has found her footing in the fashion arena.
Polished in Paris? It always looks good on her.
