‘A bit of a faux pas’: Victoria Beckham’s big fashion regret

As the fashion designer and former Spice Girl unveils her latest collection, she reveals the one outfit she wishes she never wore – and the secret to her marriage.

She’s the fashion designer and former Spice Girl who is known simply as ‘Posh’.

Victoria Beckham opens up to Stellar the one outfit she wishes she never wore, the secret to her 22-year marriage to David Beckham and her new collection with The Woolmark Company.

Hint: It doesn’t involve couple-dressing in matching Gucci leather.

Victoria Beckham has launched a new collection with The Woolmark Company. Picture: Tom Newton

Stellar: You’ve transformed your Spice Girls persona into a fully fledged empire, with a fashion line and beauty brand. What did being Posh Spice teach you about yourself?

Victoria Beckham: I have so much appreciation for Posh. At the time, I was young and quite shy, so having Posh Spice as a persona fast-tracked me in terms of finding my inner confidence and self-belief. I’ve always loved fashion and beauty, and becoming Posh Spice taught me to trust my instincts and embrace my passions.

S: What happened to your Spice Girl costumes? Do you have an archive of the looks you wore in videos and concerts?

VB: Of course – our wardrobe was incredible. My mum has an archive of my Spice Girl looks that perhaps one day [daughter] Harper will enjoy dressing up in.

Posh era! Victoria Beckham with the Spice Girls (from left) Melanie Chisholm; Emma Bunton; Geri Halliwell and Melanie Brown in 1997. Picture: Alamy

S: Your style has evolved over the years. How do you decide what to wear on an average day in the life of Victoria Beckham?

VB: My wardrobe has to be versatile to cover all aspects of my day: work, being a mum, going out, travelling. My off-duty outfit right now is a pair of my vintage-inspired Victoria jeans and a crisp shirt in Oxford blue.

S: Your Spice World co-star Richard E Grant was recently interviewed by Stellar and he said you were the funniest Spice Girl on set. He said: “This reputation she has accrued for being po-faced and not giving away much is so at odds with the person I worked with. I absolutely adored her.” Is that a fair assessment?

VB: I loved working with Richard! It’s no secret that the media have painted me as one thing, but those who know me know that I’m actually quite the opposite and I’m glad Richard agrees.

Victoria Beckham at Bergdorf Goodman for the launch of Victoria Beckham Beauty. Picture: Getty Images

S: Early on in your relationship with your husband David, you wore some iconic matching outfits, such as leather catsuits and those purple threads at your wedding reception. How do you reflect on those looks now, and are there any that you regret?

VB: I can honestly say I never look back at outfits with regret. Clothes, after all, should be used as a fun way to express yourself. The matching leather was a bit of a faux pas – they were Gucci and we wore them to a Versace party!

S: You and David have been married for 22 years. What is the secret to a happy marriage?

VB: We always make time for each other, even if it’s just doing everyday things like having dinner or exercising. I think making time for each other, even when you have busy schedules, is what is most important.

We also both love spending time with the whole family [including sons Brooklyn, 22, Romeo, 19, and Cruz, 16, and daughter Harper, 10]; it’s so rare these days that it makes it all the more special when we are able to get together.

Posh on the streets of New York City. Picture: Getty Images for Bergdorf Goodman

VICTORIA BECKHAM X WOOLMARK

S: Tell me about your label’s new Merino wool knitwear range with The Woolmark Company. What inspired you when designing the collection?

VB: I wanted the designs and the creative to capture natural, timeless beauty. These are pieces that are created to last for a long time.

I love the colour red, but rather than have this pop in a bold way, I wanted to create a very classic and tonal knit wardrobe so you’ll see a lot of pinks, too. Creating the vibrant colour palette was a real highlight and a true natural-dye process – we did it entirely by using flowers, leaves and berries.

Victoria Beckham x The Woolmark Company is out now. Picture: Woolmark

Chic Merino wool knits feature in Victoria Beckham's new collection with The Woolmark Company. Picture: Woolmark

Pretty in pink. Pieces from Victoria Beckham x The Woolmark Company. Picture: Woolmark

S: How does this collaboration take sustainability into account?

VB: The story behind Merino wool is really important and one that younger generations will relate to as they become more aware of their surroundings. Unlike other fabrics, it uses less energy to produce, a lot less water – using nearly 70 per cent less water than cotton to produce 100 sweaters – and it’s 100 per cent biodegradable, so doesn’t contribute to microplastic pollution.

Like many small businesses, we’re proud of the steps we have taken to become more sustainable, but we also recognise that we are on a journey, which is why partnering with The Woolmark Company has been such a great learning.

Business mode! On the runway at London Fashion Week in 2020. Picture: AFP

Victoria Beckham features in this Sunday’s Stellar.

S: What are the most important lessons you’ve learnt as a businesswoman?

VB: I’m sure everyone would agree that it takes guts to put yourself out there and really bring your ideas to life. Today’s world moves at lightning speed, so I’m a firm believer in taking stock and trusting your intuition rather than trying to mould your business into what current trends say it should be.

Both of my businesses are made up of predominantly females. I’ve always been inspired by strong, powerful women, and that’s who I want to create clothes and beauty products for.

Victoria Beckham x The Woolmark Company Collection is available now.

Originally published as ‘A bit of a faux pas’: Victoria Beckham’s big fashion regret