Victoria takes London Fashion Week
COULD IT BE THAT Victoria Beckham, high-priestess of impeccable, rigorous chic, is loosening up? According to her, absolutely. ‘I wanted to lose my inhibitions,’ she told Grazia backstage after unveiling her A/W ’20 collection during LFW.
Don’t confuse loosening up with letting go, however. Among the backstage hubbub (activist Sinead Burke and model Karen Elson were among those congratulating Victoria post-show), she looked as considered as ever, immaculate in a white shirt and flared black trousers – the kind of deceptively simple look it takes lashings of style confidence to pull off.
She’s also found her groove on the catwalk. The A/W ’20 collection included a succession of black dresses, so thoroughly wantable that they completely distracted from that megawatt front row. ‘I’m a minimalist,’ she said. ‘I don’t like anything to look overly designed. I like it to feel easy.’
On-the-go elegance is Victoria’s calling card. It’s what her woman wants – she knows because, as a busy working mum, she is that woman. Fans will be eager to get hold of the tweed Crombie-style coats, lumberjack check separates and natty knits – pieces that exude face-the-world polish, even when you only have five minutes to get ready. (Models weren’t even wearing much make-up, although they were treated to pre-show facials by Melanie Ward using the Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturiser and new Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum, created in collaboration with Augustinus Bader.)
There’s still room for playfulness though and, this season, Victoria subverted her signature sophistication with cut-outs, clasped-hand belts and leather boots that snaked all the way up the leg. And hemlines are getting higher. ‘I wanted to play with a shorter length for such a long time, but now it feels right.’ She is particularly excited about wearing a navy, funnel-neck tunic that hits the mid-thigh (see far left).
Having decamped from New York in 2018, Victoria has established herself as one of the highlights of London Fashion Week, which she loves. ‘It just feels right for the brand to show here at the moment. London is so inspiring and creative.’
And there is another benefit to showing in her hometown. ‘I get to see my family in-between show prep which is great. And I try to grab as much sleep as I can as soon as I get home from the studio each night.’ Post-show decompression means lunch with the family (out in force on the FROW, Harper in custom Victoria Beckham) and then a party with ‘the “team VB family”’.
Of course, you didn’t need a ticket to see the show. You would have seen it on the ’gram – all over it. A savvy social media user, Victoria’s Instagram is an insight to her life and work. The you’re-all-welcome attitude chimes with the more joyful spirit in fashion at the moment. ‘We’re very inclusive as a brand. And we really are,’ said Victoria. ‘I love how I can connect with my community via social media, and Instagram really provides me with a platform to engage with and include them in everything I’m doing in both fashion and beauty. Fashion has the ability to take you to a different place and be optimistic and creative. I think that’s what we all need sometimes!’ How does she feel about being a role model? ‘I am flattered but at the same time take it seriously. I want to advocate being healthy, looking after ourselves. And as I always say, most importantly, being kind.’
And what’s next on planet VB? ‘We’re already working on the next pre-collection so there’s always a lot going on,’ she said. ‘For 2020 it’s about continuing the creative journey that I’m on. I love what I do. I feel so lucky to have the fashion and beauty building side by side, and I feel this year is going to be really exciting!’