Whether you are a fan or not, the narrative of Victoria Beckham is one you might be familiar with: her humble beginnings, that infamous Rolls-Royce incident, her iconic “Wannabe” phase as part of the Spice Girls, the invasive years spent dodging paparazzi, and her rise in the fashion world. Throughout her journey—from donning “the little Gucci dress, the little Gucci dress, or the little Gucci dress” to showcasing her own creations in Paris (certainly!), her enduring marriage to David Beckham has remained a compelling point of interest.
Revealed in her revealing new Netflix documentary—featuring insights from industry icons like Donatella Versace and Tom Ford, along with some sultry flashbacks of David during his peak football days—is Victoria’s relentless drive and her strategic self-marketing. A young Victoria Adams was once an “awkward, uncool” girl passionate about musical theater who, at 19, auditioned for a band that came to signify a pivotal era, promoting the power of female camaraderie over reflections on male attention. The revolutionary influence of the Spice Girls is immeasurable; their platform shoes broke through the barriers of the ’90s. Although the term Girl Power might seem overused today, it significantly transformed how young women envisioned their futures. When the global fame faded and the Spice Girls disbanded, she reflected, “One minute I’m advocating for girl power, the next I’m a wife living in a Manchester apartment.”
Throughout the three-part docuseries, what stands out is that from her Posh Spice phase to her current persona, Victoria has continuously shaped her audience’s aspirations—whether it was empowering shyer girls in 1995, setting fashion trends through her wardrobe choices, or nurturing a family with a superstar footballer. As David’s popstar partner, she set the standard for the modern WAG: the flowing extensions paired with diminutive shorts. Once the WAG aesthetic became ubiquitous, she evolved her style.
The bright lights of her initial days in LA were another stellar display of PR acumen—her moments at LAX arrivals showcased some of her finest branding efforts—while Marc Jacobs’ renowned spring 2008 campaign, shot by Juergen Teller, challenged the narrative of VB as merely a princess followed by cameras. Looking back, her past styles might seem outdated only because being trendy means embracing the avant-garde before moving on.
