The recently released three-part Netflix docuseries Victoria Beckham acts as a sort of companion piece to Beckham, directed by Fisher Stevens, which delved into David Beckham’s captivating career. Shifting the focus from the storied footballer to the Spice Girl-turned-fashion icon he loves, this new series provides a similar cinematic exploration of her life. However, its emphasis on the Victoria Beckham brand makes it feel more like a fashion documentary.
The series begins as Victoria prepares for her spring 2025 fashion show set against the picturesque Chateau de Bagatelle, showcasing floral dresses that seem to defy gravity. Throughout the preparations, viewers witness her trying on outfits, making adjustments, selecting fabrics, and choosing models for the eagerly awaited event.
Victoria Beckham utilizes this fashion show as a narrative anchor, allowing us to traverse her childhood, her reign as a pop star, her marriage, her time as a WAG, and her rise as a fashion mogul, all while emphasizing the significance of the upcoming show in establishing her brand’s position within the fashion industry.
The tension peaks in the climactic finale of the third episode, where everything appears perfectly arranged—until unexpected torrential rain threatens to disrupt the proceedings. Will the show proceed as planned? Is a postponement on the table? Will the models navigate the slippery steps? How will the press react?
The resolution comes in the final moments of the series. However, here are the seven key insights gleaned from Victoria Beckham.
Young Victoria Dreamed of the Stage
Photo: Netflix
Throughout the docuseries, we are treated to rare footage of Victoria as a child, showcasing her love for music and dance, complete with charming costumes. Her aspiration was to perform in musical theater. “Dancing was my passion,” she shares, reminiscing about a time when she tap-danced to “If My Friends Could See Me Now” from Sweet Charity. “I was a performer. All the songs in the West End? I knew them all.” (Her mother notes she even auditioned for Cats, receiving a callback for Starlight Express.)
Victoria reflects that this escape into performance was vital. “I was a misfit at school,” she admits. “I faced bullying and felt out of place. But the stage offered a transformative experience, allowing me to be someone else. I was not comfortable in my skin; I wanted acceptance.”
Her affinity for musical theater set the stage for her future. When it came time to audition for the Spice Girls, she chose to perform “Mein Herr” from Cabaret, opting for something offbeat instead of a pop song. “I think I might be more eccentric than I realized,” she chuckles.
Even now, as seen in a TikTok made with her daughter Harper, Victoria still has that rhythm—she’s just swapped tap shoes for a different style.
As Posh Spice, She Dominated the Clothing Budget
Photo: Tim Roney/Getty Images
According to Victoria, the Spice Girls had a clothing budget, but “the other girls weren’t that passionate about fashion.” This meant there was a generous allowance for her. In a humorous clip, Geri Halliwell laments, “Guess what I end up with? A £20 outfit from Oxfam. She takes all my money.” What did Victoria do with her share? “I went to Gucci,” she reveals, admitting, “I’d never owned designer clothes before, and that was the moment fashion became my everything.”
She Pushed the Limits at Her First Versace Show
Featuring a parade of star-studded appearances, including Eva Longoria and Anna Wintour, one of the standout moments in Victoria Beckham is her encounter with Donatella Versace, the first designer to welcome her to a fashion show. Donatella makes a memorable entrance by addressing the camera: “Do you like my make-up? It’s Victoria Beckham.” Just iconic.
The duo first met in 1997, prompted by Donatella’s daughter’s infatuation with the Spice Girls. The invitation to Versace was exhilarating for Victoria, who recalls flying on a private jet to Milan and being given access to the Versace store. “I picked out a black leather dress and, while trying it on, I remember suggesting, ‘Let’s alter this, shorten that, remove the sleeves.’ In essence, I redesigned the entire dress. Looking back, it’s astonishing I had the audacity,” she reflects.
Donatella agrees, noting, “It’s bold to do that. At first, I thought, ‘What a nerve!’ But then I realized she was right. It suited her better.”
The Baden-Baden Phase Was Meaningful
Photo: Getty Images
Later in the series, we delve into Victoria’s time in Baden-Baden, where her striking style made headlines, marked by daring mini dresses, form-fitting tops, oversized sunglasses, and impressive Birkins. “It was quite the time,” she recalls with a laugh. “I had big hair and larger-than-life fashion, and we owned the scene. I still remember seeing a fellow WAG who was burdened with so many designer bags she couldn’t fit through the revolving doors of the hotel.”
Looking at those images now, she shares, “I find myself smiling. If I’m being honest, I sought attention at that time. I wasn’t creatively satisfied, and I needed something to keep me relevant—from Spice Girl to WAG. I didn’t fully understand it then, but I was on a quest for my identity. I felt lost, somewhat melancholic—a little stuck in time. While I valued what I had, I also craved a purpose.”
Her Reaction to the Marc Jacobs Campaign Was One of Dismay, But She Reclaimed It
In 2007, Victoria stirred controversy by attending a Marc Jacobs fashion show. Following the event, Marc reached out with a proposal for her to be in his campaign, which she accepted. Upon seeing the images, however, she felt “horrified.” The photos poked fun at her public persona and didn’t portray her in a glamorous light. “It was then I realized I was seen as a joke in the fashion world,” she confided. “I had clear aspirations to design and a unique vision, but I needed validation from somebody.”
A decade later, Victoria rediscovered the concept. Now an established designer, she realized her brand’s identity was fading, leading her to reach out to Juergen Teller, who had taken those original photos. She wanted to reclaim that imagery for her brand. “Back then, the joke was on me. This time, it was my turn to own it,” she stated.
Letting Go of the WAG Image Was Essential for Her Fashion Success
Victoria credits designer Roland Mouret as a pivotal figure in her journey. “He recognized my potential,” she reminisces. “We connected, and he provided honest, sometimes tough, feedback.” He informed her that she needed to conquer her fears and shed her WAG persona to achieve her dreams. Victoria complied. “I left those extravagant days in Baden-Baden behind,” she expresses. “I evolved into a simpler, more sophisticated version of myself.”
David Belhassen’s Support Was a Game Changer for Her Business
As the series progresses, Victoria openly discusses the challenges she faced as her fashion label rapidly expanded from small events to grand showcases. The stakes escalated, and the losses exceeded millions, leaving her in a precarious situation with David unable to provide further financial support. “It felt like everything was collapsing,” she reflects. “I was in danger of losing everything I had built. I needed external investment. I required help.”
That’s when David Belhassen entered the picture. Initially, upon reviewing the company’s finances, he was taken aback, admitting, “Frankly, I’d never encountered such a tough situation.” Initially reluctant to invest, he was swayed by a pivotal moment: his wife wore a stunning dress designed by Victoria out on a Saturday night.
Belhassen recalls enforcing budget cuts, including drastic reductions in extravagant expenditures like the €70,000 spent annually on office plants, along with €15,000 on their maintenance. “She promised me, ‘I won’t disappoint you,’” he recalls. After she presents her spring 2025 collection in a key moment of the series, he proclaims, “She never gave up, and it’s finally paying off. We’ve transformed the business, but this is just the beginning. There’s an immense market we have yet to explore.”
Victoria Beckham is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
