Former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has admitted she was initially sceptical of Victoria Beckham's fashion label, believing it to be a mere 'hobby'. In a new Netflix documentary, Wintour confesses she viewed the former Spice Girl as a celebrity dabbling in fashion, but Beckham ultimately 'proved us wrong'.
Speaking in the series, Wintour says: 'I view her as a Spice Girl, and we admire her style and her sense of commitment to fashion, but most of the celebrities who get involved in our world are not true designers. I thought maybe this was a hobby. I didn't quite believe it.' Beckham, 51, revealed that Wintour declined invitations to her shows for years before curiosity got the better of her.
Tom Ford also recalls warning Beckham about the industry's toughness, saying: 'I think a lot of people didn't take it seriously. I think a lot of people thought, 'Oh, OK, Victoria Beckham is starting a collection. Someone else will probably design it.'' Actress Eva Longoria adds that friends cautioned Beckham she would not be accepted, citing other celebrity lines that had failed.
Despite the scepticism, Beckham's label has reported four consecutive years of sales growth, though it has yet to make an operating profit since its 2008 launch. The Netflix series follows her preparations for Paris Fashion Week and reflects on her journey from pop star to fashion designer.
