AS a global superstar in her own right, Victoria Beckham was the very zenith of Wag culture.
With her deep fake tan, caramel hair extensions and pneumatic chest, unquestionably VB was Queen Bee at the infamous 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Victoria Beckham has opened up about the decision to get rid of her breast implants[/caption]
Victoria, pictured in 2007 at a Marc Jacobs event, was the very zenith of Wag culture[/caption]
But it was there in Baden-Baden that the retired Spice Girl “buried those boobs” as she memorably says in her new Netflix doc.
Today, the designer opens up on her decision to ditch the implants, revealing upmarket designer Roland Mouret — who features in the show — was behind her move to get them removed.
Laughing at how they’re now quite possibly “bobbing around in the Mediterranean sea”, Victoria says: “I mean, yes, I was a Wag. And a proud one.
“I think that I’ve spent such a long time after the Spice Girls searching for my purpose and I didn’t know what it was, so I suppose that’s why I dressed in that way. There were a lot of hair extensions, tight tops and fake tan, although, I still do fake tan.
“I’m not going to lie, it was probably to get attention, because I was searching for my identity.
“I don’t know where those boobs went, but they went. It was definitely working with Roland that did it. He’s so great and I wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for him.
“It came from a need to be taken more seriously and me not knowing who I was. And so I think it was Roland that encouraged me to just be me — not feel I had to be that person. To just tone it down.
“And I think the nice thing about it is, then, I could just show myself through my collections.”
Speaking to Victoria on the ground floor of her flagship Mayfair store, it is clear her previous insecurities — and fear of saying the wrong thing — have gone.
She is happy in her own skin (as well she should be because, up close, it is flawless, thanks to a rigid skincare routine, and lots of broccoli).
We chat hours before the Netflix premiere of her three-part series, which today shot to the top of the UK streamer’s charts.
She adds: “I look back at those days now and I smile.
“I was probably getting it from all angles back then, but let me tell you, I’ve had a lot worse said about me than I was a Wag.
“I mean, we were all wives and girlfriends. Let me tell you, though, that’s probably one of the nicest things people have said about me.
“For years, people have misunderstood my irony.
“Of course ‘Wag’ is probably seen as un-feminist nowadays, but we live in different times, and people now are much more accountable for what they say.”
Ahead of our interview, having already watched the series, I present Victoria with a small gift — a personalised VB “sippy cup”, and a £4.50 bottle of wine.
It is a nod to a hilarious clip in the first episode, where she and ex-England captain husband David are seen clutching sippy cups filled to the brim with (expensive) wine.
Of course ‘Wag’ is probably seen as un-feminist nowadays, but we live in different times, and people now are much more accountable for what they say.
Victoria Beckham
At the end of our chat, I am delighted to see her proudly clutching said sippy cup (and wine), as she strides out of the store, and on to her next engagement.
Happily married for 26 years, today Victoria and David are worth a combined £500million.
Both have supremely successful solo careers, as well as being Britain’s most famous family brand. With homes across the world — and a yacht — the couple want for nothing.
Victoria chooses to lead by example, instilling a work ethic into each of her four children.
Victoria was supported by her family at the premiere of her Netflix show[/caption]
Happily married for 26 years, today Victoria and David are worth a combined £500million[/caption]
While eldest son Brooklyn, 26, is forging a career with his own hot sauce company Stateside, former footballer Romeo is successfully modelling, and Harper is being made to do her homework in addition to her online make-up tutorials alongside her mum.
Cruz is an aspiring singer and songwriter.
He has already received critical acclaim, and has been signed up to a top music management company — all off his own bat.
“Cruz has got music coming out soon,” Victoria adds.
“He’s spent the last ten years learning his craft — much like I did with Roland — learning to play instruments.
“He taught himself to play about seven instruments.
“He writes his own songs, he’s put a band together.
“He’s properly done it from the grass roots up.
“He hasn’t just come in and sung his songs, or demanded anything.
“I mean I can’t really give him any advice — the industry has changed so much.
“But I told him, ‘Don’t expect immediate success’.
“It’s almost better if it isn’t an immediate success.
“You know, it’s like with my fashion thing — it’s taken me 20 years to get it to where it is.
“You’ve got to start small and build it up. And that’s exactly what he’s doing, playing tiny venues, no fuss, doing his thing.
“I am so proud of him.”
When I suggest he’s not a traditional nepo-baby — the disparaging term given to offspring of the rich and famous — she chips in: “But he is a nepo.
“I mean, I feel sorry for these kids that are considered nepo-babies.
“The kids are simply the kids of their parents.
“It’s not their fault.
“Give them a chance.
“What matters is that people are good and kind.
“It is fine to be ambitious, but it is more important to be kind.
“Let the music speak for itself before you judge.”
So what of her 14-year-old daughter, Harper, who has been popping up on Victoria’s Instagram feed more and more?
What matters is that people are good and kind. It is fine to be ambitious, but it is more important to be kind.
Victoria Beckham
The teen has two scene-stealing moments in her mother’s eponymous doc — one in which she’s teaching her a TikTok dance, and another making her speech-making debut at a swanky awards do. She shines in both.
Most recently, the youngster has been doing make-up tutorials. Will she be the next Kylie Jenner? Watch this space.
Says Victoria proudly: “Harper is going to be one of two things.
“She’s either going to be a beauty mogul or she’s going to be a stand-up.
“She is hilarious.”
Back to Victoria — or Lady Beckham as she’ll soon be, once Goldenballs collects his imminent knighthood.
The spiritual star, who carries crystals everywhere she goes, hopes to further expand her blossoming beauty business, which last year reported a revenue of almost £113million, as well as opening new clothing stores abroad.
While she still believes her proudest achievement to date is her four happy children — “mother, first, is how I define myself” — she adds: “I’m proud of the businesses.
“I think I’m a good leader.
“I’m proud of my teams.
“Someone came in to work with us the other day that comes from another fashion house, and they said that it’s so rare to have that thriving team.
“It made me happy.
“I’m all about energy — positive energy.
“By the way, last night I did a lot of manifesting because it was a supermoon.
“I wrote things down, things I want to achieve.
“There is still so much more I want to do.
“I have so many ideas and I am just so excited for the future.”
- Victoria Beckham is available to stream now on Netflix.
The Sun’s Clemmie Moodie with Victoria in her flagship Dover Street store in London[/caption]
Victoria’s new three-part series will air on Netflix[/caption]
Victoria with her fellow Spice Girls[/caption]
Victoria with hubby and former England captain David[/caption]
