A pop icon of the ’90s, Victoria Beckham, turned media exposure into a source of strength. From Spice Girl to acclaimed fashion designer and once a closely watched WAG, she has established herself as a formidable businesswoman.
An icon then and now
Before becoming the respected designer she is today, Victoria Beckham experimented with countless styles. What never changed? Her status as an untouchable icon, steadfast despite often harsh media scrutiny.
It all began in the 1990s with the Spice Girls, where she rose to fame as “Posh Spice.” Black suits, body-hugging dresses, sleek bobs. She immediately established a sophisticated look. Even amid the playful, colorful world of the girl group, she embodied a distinctly British sense of chic.
At the time, her style oscillated between streetwear influences and ’90s minimalism. She could be seen in bandanas, sneakers, and baggy pants, but also in more streamlined looks: miniskirts, Afghan coats with faux-fur collars. Outfits irresistibly reminiscent of Rachel Green from Friends.
Then came the 2000s and with them, a dramatic shift. Victoria Beckham embraced a full-on bimbo aesthetic: short, flashy dresses, a flawless tan, and her now-iconic angular bob. Constantly hounded by paparazzi, she was never seen without oversized sunglasses. A devoted Hermès collector, she was often photographed carrying the brand’s most coveted designs from the Jean Paul Gaultier era, including a burgundy crocodile Birkin and a rare “baguette” version.
It was also the era that catapulted her into the closely watched world of WAGs. The wives and girlfriends of footballers as David Beckham’s wife. Photos of her in the stands, children in her arms and perched on sky-high heels, became tabloid gold.
From WAG to Powerhouse Businesswoman
Though long seen as a pop icon, Victoria Beckham successfully pivoted to entrepreneurship in an industry that rarely granted celebrities true legitimacy. In 2009, she launched her eponymous fashion label, a clothing line that stood in sharp contrast to her once-flashy image. Goodbye glitz, hello minimalism.
Her early collections were a revelation: impeccably tailored mid-dresses, muted palettes, and clean, precise lines. The tone was set. Her brand quickly found its place on the runways of New York Fashion Week, where she won over both critics and buyers. The public’s response was positive. But it was the professionals’ approval that truly mattered. Even Anna Wintour, fashion’s formidable queen, praised her dedication. A seal of approval that, in this world, means official validation.
Ten years later, Victoria Beckham expanded her empire with the launch of Victoria Beckham Beauty. A line praised for its quality and sophistication. Today, she’s no longer just a celebrity turned designer; she’s a fully-fledged businesswoman in her own right.
Behind the Scenes of Fame
Behind her perfectly polished image lies a journey marked by intense media scrutiny, a darker side of fame explored in a recent Netflix documentary.
It reveals a woman who, for years, was a prime target of the British tabloids: followed, photographed, and judged for her looks, her choices, and her motherhood. At the time, such treatment was all too common for famous women. Other icons, like Kate Winslet and Britney Spears, endured the same often-normalized form of media violence.
Constantly reduced to a single image, that of a trophy wife or WAG, Victoria Beckham took control of her narrative in 2009 by launching her own fashion brand. Yet even this bold move into the fashion world didn’t silence the critics, some still reluctant to accept that a former pop star could evolve into a legitimate designer.
In the documentary, Victoria also opens up about deeply personal chapters of her life, including her struggles with eating disorders. It’s a powerful testimony, driven by a desire to raise awareness around issues long silenced in the entertainment industry. She appears more vulnerable, yet more human, far from the cold, distant persona the media once projected.
From pop star to WAG, from fashion icon to business leader, Victoria Beckham has steadily asserted her vision and her voice. Through the recent docuseries, she reveals a more intimate side of her journey, one that had long remained in the shadows. A story that allows those who admired her for her style or career to now connect with her strength and her vulnerability.
