Victoria Beckham on Taking the Power Back from her Critics | BoF VOICES 2022

The designer and former Spice Girl speaks at #BoFVOICES 2022 about gaining strength from criticism and staying focused and resilient amid constant media scrutiny.
Background:
Victoria Beckham says she has built her career on hard work and resilience. First as a singer in the ‘90s supergroup the Spice Girls and now as a fashion designer for her namesake brand, Beckham has constantly had to prove herself.
She’s not the first designer to face critics and doubters, but Beckham says she feels she was “naïve” in not anticipating that she would receive the same level of criticism in fashion as she did as a pop star.
"I have a spotlight on my business like a lot of other brands do not,” she said. “And, you know, sometimes that's great and sometimes it's not. But it's something that I've never complained about. I accept that," she said in a conversation with Laura Weir at BoF VOICES 2022.
This week on The BoF Podcast, Beckham speaks about the development of her brand and how resilience has been at the core of her creative process.
Key Insights:
- Despite never being “the best” at all of the creative paths she pursued, Beckham believes that it is her work ethic that has underpinned her success. “I believe in putting it out into the universe, and if you work hard enough and believe in yourself enough, then what you can achieve, the sky’s the limit,” she says.
- Since launching her womenswear brand in 2008, and subsequent beauty and accessory categories, Beckham believes her products speak louder than the preconceptions made from her being their designer. “[The media] did not leave their preconceptions at the door,” says Beckham. “The product spoke for itself.”
- Social media has been at the heart of Beckham’s strategy to foster an engaged community and grow her customer basis. “I think the great thing now about social media is you have the opportunity to really communicate with your community and show people who you really are,” she says. “So I feel that to a certain extent we have taken the power back, which I think is great.”
Subscribe to BoF’s KZbin channel to never miss a video.
Look out for more #bofvoices videos coming soon, bringing you the best of our annual global gathering for big thinkers.
CONNECT WITH THE BUSINESS OF FASHION:
Web: www.businessoffashion.com
Twitter: / bof
Facebook: / businessoffa. .
Instagram: / bof
LinkedIn: / the-. .
Pinterest: www.pinterest.co.uk/fashionbu...
Newsletter: www.businessoffashion.com/new...
ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF FASHION: The Business of Fashion is a next-generation fashion media company conceived for today’s global and hyper-connected world. Founded in 2007 by Imran Amed, BoF is known for its authoritative, agenda-setting point of view on the global fashion industry, and is an indispensable resource for fashion executives, creatives, students, and entrepreneurs in over 200 countries. It has been described as “The Economist of Fashion,” “A Daily Destination for Fashion’s Power Players”, and “The Industry Bible”, www.businessoffashion.com

[@posh1814]

A serious german journalist wrote about Victoria some time ago: "You don't have to like her, but you have to respect her." What absolutely true words! I really adore her for going her way against all the hate being thrown at her through the years, and I love her - YES! -humour! Go on, Victoria!

[@colettebrennan1840]

What A English Rose .. Beautiful woman who makes great Familys xx Outstanding ❤

[@colettebrennan1840]

Determand an understatment Outstanding Class

[@user-og7xo9mg6u]

Beautiful that what u call honest

[@ourcorethings]

I genuinely love her so much

[@Lali218]

She is so misunderstood, people hate her just because she doesn’t smile. But she is so likeable, witty and kindhearted 💕

[@nilzabento1143]

A colleague of mine, she worked for The Beckhams and she confirmed that the couple couldn't be more down to earth, very approachable and kind. I found hard to believe, she really knew them well! It is nice to hear about these so called celebrities!

[@natmjauclair632]

Wow, comment elle a fait pour obtenir un tel emploi? Elle en a eu de la chance!

[@nncdrmr]

she is a woman of substance! She has had some horrible hate thrown at her. David loves her and she deserves all good things

[@TheQHBlend1]

Proud to have witnessed Victoria’s evolution from music to fashion. She’s done her thing. Much love and respect. 🖤❤️

[@sweetlikez]

yes!!!!!! this!

[@JohannaLuisa_]

I love Victoria. I am sure she is amazing in person, and she has great humor. She never complains. And she is a great designer. Love you, Posh!

[@hermionealexander5675]

Most authentic interview she’s done in awhile!! No silly pouting or poses refreshing to see her being genuine, Love her

[@caroln3564]

A "great designer"!!!??? Have you seen her drafting or designing anything? Please point me to where she "designs" anything?

[@francesopintore2073]

Do you think she designs the clothes by herself?:-DDDD

[@alexac5001]

Never complaining is not necessarily a quality

[@roderickfiske4769]

😂😂😂😂😂you sound as deluded as her.

[@sweetlikez]

Victoria her messages throughout this entire interview is amazing. I love her. I am so glad that she found passion in fashion than just focusing on music. She branched herself outside of music and she remained educated about being a business woman. She is smart and she had so much give and say. Love that she show compassion and stays authentic. I know this was in 2022. I love how she speaks about her husband, David and their marriage.

[@hannahfanelli6657]

I love Victoria's articulateness and how she opens up here.

[@LJC3276]

She has it all and a lot of people are mean to people like this.They are jealous I think. She is talented and funny and kind.

[@magyoe3471]

True! Agree 💯% Lots of naysayers, armchair critics & sour🍇 around. All that she went thro' aft all these past yrs, decades... the light @ the end of those dark tunnels...now you see the fruits of her labour & hard work, with may envious sour🍇 people @ the side line still grouching! 😝😅😂

[@anibrown5374]

Victoria is a true woman of excellence. Solo single and video, for me, was sadly underrated ever. A true talent!

[@francesopintore2073]

Talent in what?:)))

[@roderickfiske4769]

Thanks for that drivel Brooklyn. How’s the cheffing going😂😂😂😂

[@anthonymarvell153]

She had a dream and succeeded. Well done. So many people die without following their dreams because they are too scared or not confident enough to take the chances and the knocks. ❤

[@lovelylangers]

I would like to see her on Diary Of a CEO.

[@sophiabelfont4850]

It’s so easy to love VB ❤, she’s genuinely nice person! I love her sense of humor,her style of fashion .

[@hmhhealthmeanshappiness]

It's nice to see Victoria from the other perspective. She actually has a very good energy. And I need to admit her clothing brand is excellent.

[@lukiswastika3642]

I think people jealous with her. But i respect her so much. Her personality, she's nice, talented

[@elliebella2710]

Victoria Beckham has really invested in elocution lessons. Her accent is very Notting Hill now rather than Essex. Fascinating to listen and watch her transformation over the years. Kudos to her and David's speech coaches.

[@jamescairns4051]

Victoria is Herts, not Essex mate

[@SW-cu6bw]

Essex? Who are you kidding!

[@rurulosha]

the interviewer did an incredible job

[@ricardoneves7307]

Love you Victoria, keep doing what you love and inspiring people.

[@BeachNanny]

Personally, I think she has a really nice voice.

[@user-cq7wn1sj1s]

Her words about hard work are really so inspiring, love Victoria ❤❤

[@magyoe3471]

I think what she really meant by "hard work" is 👉🏼 real commitment, with a passion & love for what she's doing. Going all the way, very determined to work hard & slog off in spite of critics & naysayers. As she had said, she's very "focused" wch is one of her few strong points wch gives her the strength to carry on regardless of any setbacks, criticism, negative press & media. She's NOT a dumb bimbo but surely a real smart gal with her feet firmly planted fr a humble working class background, very focus & determination with sheer hard work, never forgetting her roots but being community minded with inclusion, touching base with her customers, her source. Never complaining but grateful for both the good & bad times! She's quite an inspiration to the younger millennials & lazy Woke generation of self entitlement.

[@roseyk7677]

True hard work comes from determination and adversity!! Vic was taken to school in a Rolls Royce and paid by her parents to go to Silvia Young drama school. She hid behind the band members who had more talent, and was rescued by David. The PR machine went in to overdrive. They knew they had to make her relevant once she married David, because they needed him as the star of the show. Like a tic on a dog she held on to him, even through his affair, She knew the Beckham brand would catapult her onto the catwalk, and she craved fame in whatever way it was handed to her. The industry and media knew she wasn't talented, so they had to manufacture a career for her. Fashion was the easy route in and she was given many privilege passes to propel to the heights she did. Vic knows the truth about her easy path to fame and fortune, but needs to appear as though she gained her stardom through talent... She did not!! Her collections were designed by other lesser known designers who's ideas were capitalised on. Had her and David never met, she would never have risen through the ranks in fashion as fast as she did, and all she does now is applaud herself because deep down, she is insecure about her fakery. The girl hung onto David for one reason only..... Relevance, because his name gave her purpose.

[@maryjaneferguson2711]

Victoria is a very lovely woman. Young women could learn from her. She's a wonderful mother and family person, too.

[@kerryholland4822]

I love her, she’s such a genuine and nice person. I how she takes the piss out of herself yet people thinks she’s being serious 🤣🤣

[@RaniaLababidy]

She's charming ! What a lovely interview 🌟

[@robertlambregts3228]

The loves what she does, she is passionate about it and she had to work really hard for it..... she has to work hard against an image that has stuck for so long, while she's proof over and over again that if you are determined, you should just do it, go for it and be humble along the way. Fantastic interview.

[@karima_MK]

She was my favorite from the spice despite I was absolutely no fan of the music. When She started her brand I was enthousiast for her and found unfair the critics. Now I am glad she became a name in fashion. Not my budget but very classy style.

[@jala1115]

I really liked this interview. Victoria has come across as very authentic. I had no idea. I grew up with her at the same time she was growing up and I think she is a hard worker, more than I ever gave her credit for. Thank you, Victoria for your positive outlook.I am aware of you here in Miami as your husband takes on Inter Miami. I think your hard work can resonate so much with all of us here in the USA. It is all about the work for us. Love❤

[@caroln3564]

How do you know she's a "hard worker"?

[@upendasana7857]

"hard worker"..are you serious !! her husband just got a 150.000.000 deal with Qatar ,do you think that was "hard work"being paid to prommoe a world cup in a country that violates loads of human rights not just lgbtq but when thousands of migrant workers died building those stadium and get treated like crap...yeah they work soo hard. Try asking a nurse or any other person who does essential work how hard they work and if they get rich at the end of it

[@caroln3564]

@@upendasana7857 what "human rights" were violated in Qatar? They have every right to not want their country spoilt by lgbwhatever filth. You want to force your "rights" on other cultures so everyone can be just as broken as you're? Keep your lgbwhatever nonsense in your broken country and leave Qatar to be.

[@OlyaVy]

Somehow I want to buy a Victoria Beckham’s dress right now ! 😂❤

[@manolantonio]

Amazing interview! I loved it! So much information for success and interesting facts! Victoria is a very generous person and an example for a successful living! ❤

[@silvertrees6326]

This is one of the most confident and articulate 🎉that I have seen Victoria. Well done❤bravo 🎉

[@DavidJMann]

Love this woman, she will be a Spice Girl forever ✌🏻🇬🇧 but she has continued to grow. Wishing you ongoing success Victoria ❤

[@Sebahtubman]

She is walking in her true confidence now, it's clear and beautiful to see. Congratulations Victoria

[@charlotteminshull6686]

I really enjoyed this everyone thinks that Victoria is bit snotty and stand off ish I've always admired her she is very smart caring funny charming hard working responsible stylish I wish she would speak up more about her bulling at work because it's such a major issue with social media in schools now she has worked really hard to build a business she loves her family. I'm a girl from South England as well I live in Toronto now I feel she is someone I can relate to and appreciate as a classy smart caring woman.

[@mirifiquebeauty]

I absolutely love VB beauty products. Just fabulous quality and well thought through. Wonderful and the Kajal eyeliners are my favourite of any high end brand ever.

[@jj9501]

Really love them but they end up smudging on me. Look like after a nights out 🫢

[@mirifiquebeauty]

@jj9501 They haven't done that so far with me. I have had that issue with other brands though.

[@RafaRodrigues]

Such an incredible woman she is. That’s my Posh!

[@charliedimanche3851]

Both women look exquisite, and they have a lot of insight to give. Thank you BoF for this interview.

[@takarasewitt339]

Victoria is SO lovely and hard working!

[@Romalvx]

I think her shyness is honest and admire her.

[@user-uo2rx4yb2e]

Thank you to all my voices and for all our voices. I know that i am not loosing it while my own voice isnt there out loud speaking to me or looking down on me. Its quiet!

[@margaretbrincat-kv9ir]

She has come across as a really lovely lady speaks a lot of sense and a good speaker

[@aztradescrypto]

I love her and respect her and beckham so much!

[@Malithi-P]

Very inspirational !!

[@jennylinden3226]

Great interview have always been a fan of her style and being a great family women

[@calisongbird]

*woman

[@gemstonegirl1084]

What a genuine person, lovely posh ❤

[@kathleenmcnulty8776]

You go Victoria you work hard and your a fab wife and mother ❤❤❤

[@evelynkeating2763]

Wonderful. Victoria. Well done.

[@trinaburrows7715]

Such a beautiful person. Well done for never giving up when people were so awful to you and your family.

[@dennis.dennis6009]

gosh. i love this woman

[@edamameedamame1202]

A true goddess and so relatable, very inspiring 😇🥰🌸

[@charlotteminshull6686]

Thank you Victoria for being a wonderful role model for young women today 🩵🇬🇧🫶👍

[@l.c838]

Nice interview ❤

[@supagepagechannel9139]

Victoria is very inspiring. ❤

[@newsupdate6773]

Credible talk and authentic.

[@marcesoprano3821]

I love this woman , she comes across actually as very genuine to me and I love her sense of hummour as well, and sense of work and family :)

[@citizenearth71]

The interviewer is very good. She asked respectful questions and tapped into her own curiosity - which invites others to feel genuinely curious too! Victoria seemed relaxed and reflective, as a result! Great work!

[@bookofgloryx]

Gosh, I love her so much x

[@suzannebrady6201]

It’s nice to see her smile a bit !😃

[@patriciacampbell1827]

Do nice to see you .. talking.....wish you the best......on all you do.... always.......❤

[@40s_fit_and_fab30]

Celebrating status is definitely an asset , try it unknown and married to a unknown.. not impossible but you definitely had a head start to stay the least . Love your boots by the way .

[@RobertLicheli]

She truly IS an inspiration!

[@briza2022]

Excellent interviewer

[@callmeloony]

Proud to be a fan of you! ❤

[@Jem395]

She is so likeable. I hope she continues to have success. Sbe deserves it.

[@alisonkovacs9871]

Victoria is so stunning love her

[@courtyard1972]

Love Victoria - Such a humble and authentic - an amazing role model

[@victoriagadd6831]

She’s a great wife (above and beyond what he deserves - cheat), a great mother and just a warm genuine human being

[@alanaUK]

Lovely to see Victoria so beautifully in her element. Sparkling ❤

[@maria-mt7eq]

wow it's really her best interview❤ her passion to fashion 🎉i wish her all the best.

[@kathleen7849]

I remember people poopooing the audacity of her thinking she could be a fashion designer and her proving herself not just capable but a stand out talent.

[@roderickfiske4769]

😂😂😂😂

[@SolveigRebekka_]

Thank you for sharing the bullying. It is a very powerful message and helps many. Including me. We are the same age. Thank you❤️ Love from Bergen, Norway

[@queensarah2711]

U r my motivator😎

[@pawe.cukier]

The show from Paris is beautiful, touching and has goodness in it. Comments are disabled there. I'm glad to be able to say it here.

[@lisamurray6780]

I ❤️u VB - you have worked so hard at creating an amazing empire, and family ~ you are a wonderful inspiration and a beautiful human bean. I can’t afford your clothes, but I adore them, and I have recently treated myself to some of your make up, it absolutely is the best I have ever used❤️ keep up the good work xxx

[@curlysue7906]

She is such a class act. love her.

[@juicyg1]

Victoria came across so well here.. I can accept the constant hair flicking 😆

[@danielamazza1063]

Agree about the hair flickering …

[@merryveewee6796]

I think it is a sign of her nervousness.

[@carmenross7063]

I love you Victoria. I've always looked up to you. 🌹

[@erikpeterson25]

Respect for going your way and accomplishing what you have 👍

[@mng6892]

I remember Victoriaès first collection of 10 dresses! They were stunning and beautiful. They looked so much more like ready to wear fashion and therefore approachable. Much respect to her. She is clearly passionate and articulate about her work. It is lovely seeing her in videos more and listening to her speak without the press pushing an untrue narrative of her character.

[@monalisahutabarat2542]

I love her❤

[@jeanneberndt118]

She is an amazing and brilliant women!

[@bradpena]

I love Victoria!!! Girl power!!!

[@ferniindahsari3848]

Victoria is very clever and smart, she is a great mom and also as a wife, it's great to watch her and her family in social media👍😍

[@helenaforeman6417]

I really admire Victoria she has not shied away from anything, she has a wonderful family and I personally loved her music as well as her fashion. I truly love her makeup range too, she has been through a lot and has overcome it all.

[@pegaga1618]

I love her sense of humor and although many said she doesnt have that much talent nor she beautiful... but for me shes beauty with substance, very good taste at styling and fashion and of course a strong wife and mother who stand by her husband and instill good values to her family.

[@user-lq9pj4bd6x]

Team Victoria since Day 1 ✌️

[@derickjude7188]

Good for you Victoria. She has had some nasty hatred come her way and sadly it seems from women! Our family have always seen how resilient and hard working she has been, and she has a lovely family. She lives up to her name, bless her ❤️ Women need to stop hating on women they do not even know, it is Meghan now receiving that hatred. Yet, the bitter women who hate will always give an excuse for their envy and hatred! It is the equivalent of witch hunting only years ago. This hatred is what stops women from evolving and getting better, instead they are now regressing and self destructing sadly!!

[@lionesslux6816]

I agree but not with the comparison with Meghan. Not in any way. Victoria is not like her mocking about other people and even blacklist an entire country. 🤕

[@PM-ji1wv]

They deserve it I huess

[@haselfrancisco5420]

Don’t ever bring Megan’s name together with Victoria’s. They are of different class. Victoria shines while the other …..

[@michelekoopman6487]

Losers criticize success.

[@paulinegauthier1867]

Agree. Wholeheartedly.

[@calisongbird]

I’m sorry, I NEED to know where to find that ultra-opaque black hose she’s wearing! Is that from her fashion line? I absolutely love the look with the matte black heels! 😍

[@ChrissieSM]

If you live in a country which has Primark, you can buy very opaque black tights, however they can be quite thick.

[@butterflygirl2660]

I just love her Go Vicky 🎉

[@pamelamcomish1984]

Your wedding was gorgeous

[@victimsofthe3784]

She did well! From "Do you wanna be my lover" #TheBeckhams

[@irenewilson177]

Victoria. Beckham. How lovely to hear. Your own. view . great to watch. You. +. listen to. You. U have a. Fabulous family. Uve both worked extremely hard. To get where. U are Keep going. U two. + wising. U both + your beautiful family. all the best for the. Future. Let’s hope. Paparazzi are kind in their comments of. U both In the future. Xx

[@jillmappin3316]

Is that coat Victoria wearing one of hers? I love it.

[@kevinwyllie102]

Love her

[@garbhanpriamos7593]

Does someone has this interview in writing by any chance?

[@marclee6991]

I loved her since I knew her…

[@alexd1121]

I found it very hard to believe that any entertainment magazine would say they’d rather have boys than girls on their cover even in the 90’s.

[@calisongbird]

Yeah, that was suspect…

[@lissagrunfeld1436]

I was in a female band in the 90’s and these kinds of things were absolutely happening at the time. Seems ridiculous now but back then, women in the industry had to work twice as hard to prove themselves worthy. We couldn’t even get meetings with labels because they didn’t sign “girl” bands.

[@user-cm9nn6kx4k]

She was talking about 90s music magazines such as Top of The Pops or Smash Hits in the UK. They were saturated with boy bands on the covers because they SOLD. The industry at that point didn't believe girl bands would sell, particularly as it was primarily girls buying the magazines.

[@mhawang8204]

It’s hard to imagine now, but Spice Girls were truly a breakthrough and trendsetter at the time. Boy bands were all the craze; girl bands didn’t work or wouldn’t last was the conventional wisdom back then.

[@alexd1121]

@@mhawang8204 really? And what about Bananarama, the Bangles, the Pointer Sisters, Exposé, Wilson Phillips, En Vogue, Salt N Pepa and before them the Supremes, the Shirelles, the Ronettes and before them The Andrew Sisters….I mean the Spice Gilrs were a ginormous phenomenon but to say that they wouldn’t get the cover of Smash Hits because they were girls is a stretch. Victoria Beckham has always been my least favorite. She and her husband can barely spell and she behaves like she’s better than everyone.

[@pamelaa3720]

Classy lady!

[@avayu2289]

Well, as much as I love Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice, Spice Girls were a girl group assembled by Simon Fuller, a British TV and Music Producer, not formed or promoted by the members themselves.

[@StStStS]

I do find the idea that she was told that nobody wants to look at girls on magazine covers laughable. Girl power didn’t start in the 1990s! I would have thought men have harder time getting on the front cover of mags. However, kudos to her for making a solid business. I remember what a hard time the press gave her after the Spice Girls and David was the successful one. It just became a thing to run her down as useless.

[@mccoyaffiliate99]

she looks so pretty.

[@shivapejman8155]

She is awesome.

[@_1bk]

Beckham Beauty, Beckham Home, Beckham Health and Wellness, Beckham Security♥️

[@riyuphoenix4533]

Ive always had a ton of respect for what shes done, and she really had worked her butt of to get ahead in the world. Even in spice girls before they put out their first song, they all spent 2 years living togther, long days just rehearsing, it probably took a great toll. Its understandable if any of them threw in the towel, but they didnt.