Victoria Beckham admits she wouldn’t enter the fashion industry ‘knowing what she knows now’ and says she was ‘naive’ when she launched her brand which took 17 years to turn a profit

Victoria Beckham admits she wouldn't enter the fashion industry 'knowing what she knows now' and says she was 'naive' when she launched her brand which took 17 years to turn a profit

As a lifestyle expert with years of experience under my belt, I must say that Victoria Beckham’s journey in the fashion industry is nothing short of inspiring. Her resilience and determination are truly commendable.


Victoria Beckham has shared that, given her current knowledge, she might not have chosen a career in fashion if she knew then what she knows now, having learned from starting her own label.

In a conversation with Nicole Kidman for Vogue Australia, the 50-year-old fashion designer shared that when she started her brand, she was characterized as having a fresh, unassuming quality, much like being new and pure to the industry.

Reflecting on her past, a mother of four acknowledged that, given the understanding of what this journey would entail, she may not find the same level of ‘resolve’ or ‘determination’ to embark on it again today.

It came to light in January that the Victoria Beckham brand, which had struggled initially, is now generating substantial profits for the first time seventeen years after its debut.

Regarding her initial encounters with the brand as documented in Vogue, she expressed that her love for fashion and beauty has been longstanding, having been a member of the Spice Girls. With a sense of adventure, she ventured into this world, exhibiting an innocence and lack of industry knowledge. If she knew then what she knows now, she might have hesitated, but she stepped into the fashion industry sincerely and modestly, unfamiliar with its intricacies.

Victoria Beckham admits she wouldn't enter the fashion industry 'knowing what she knows now' and says she was 'naive' when she launched her brand which took 17 years to turn a profit

Victoria Beckham admits she wouldn't enter the fashion industry 'knowing what she knows now' and says she was 'naive' when she launched her brand which took 17 years to turn a profit

Initially, I aimed to design garments that weren’t available to me personally…Fast forward 17 years, we take great pride in saying that our fashion line stands on its own as profitable, which is quite remarkable for both established ready-to-wear brands and independent ones. This accomplishment is truly a significant milestone.

After years of laying the groundwork, it’s time to construct. I’ve been laboring on the foundations, and finally, I can commence building the home of my dreams. We offer more than just clothing; we also design bags and shoes, our beauty line is thriving independently, and now we’ve expanded into fragrances. This diversity makes us a full-fledged brand.

In October, it was announced by the designer to Vogue France that her fashion brand had, at long last, achieved profitability – over a decade since she launched her own label.

She indicated that this is merely the start of her journey. Filled with numerous aspirations, she tirelessly strives to attain her objectives. She never passively allows opportunities to come to her; instead, she actively pursues them.

What a thrilling moment! This year marks our first profit, which is quite an achievement, particularly for an autonomous brand. Unlike some other brands that merely hold licenses, my perfume is actually mine to call my own.

‘Now that I have laid down the groundwork for the house, the real work can begin.’

During an interview with Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) in March to mark the announcement, one of Victoria’s investors, David Belhassen, offered insights into the behind-the-scenes aspects of her business.

Speaking as a lifestyle expert, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! The revenues have soared an astounding 42% this year, reaching £58 million – a figure that leaves me optimistic and eager for the future. When the annual accounts are submitted in December for the 2022 financial year, I believe the former Spice Girl will silence her critics with her remarkable success story.

Victoria Beckham admits she wouldn't enter the fashion industry 'knowing what she knows now' and says she was 'naive' when she launched her brand which took 17 years to turn a profit
Victoria Beckham admits she wouldn't enter the fashion industry 'knowing what she knows now' and says she was 'naive' when she launched her brand which took 17 years to turn a profit

In January 2023, the financial statements of Victoria Beckham Holdings Ltd showed a decrease in losses, with a loss of £5,887,036 in 2021 compared to £8,581,944 in 2020. This suggests that the company’s performance improved from 2020 to 2021.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share this sobering fact: Since its debut back in 2008, my beloved company has accumulated a staggering £66.3m in losses overall. Now, here’s the tough part – not even the directors, such as Victoria and her husband David, have received a single penny in dividends. This dedicated fan can only hope for better days ahead!

The luxury fashion business has expanded to Europe and the Middle East, with the annual accounts saying the brand was also expanding into new products, with the launch of leather goods and the VB Body range.

Despite big losses, the Beckham’s global empire has reportedly doubled its profits.

In the year ending December 2020, financial reports submitted to Companies House in London indicated that the duo amassed a revenue of £11.6 million – a significant increase from the £4.5 million earned in 2019, despite the ongoing pandemic.

2021 financial reports flagged concerns among auditors regarding the sustainability of Victoria’s fashion company, as they indicated a substantial question mark about its ongoing business operations due to accumulated debts exceeding £46 million since its inception.

At one point, close associates noted that despite critics labeling it as a self-indulgent endeavor, Victoria remained committed to moving forward with her own business venture.

I firmly believe that for many people, including myself, there is one particular aspect of our lives that truly defines us – a passion so deeply ingrained that it becomes an integral part of our identity. For Victoria, this passion is unmistakable and indispensable. She cherishes it dearly, and despite the numerous challenges and obstacles that come with it, she remains steadfast in her dedication.

Victoria Beckham admits she wouldn't enter the fashion industry 'knowing what she knows now' and says she was 'naive' when she launched her brand which took 17 years to turn a profit

It was revealed in February 2021 that the beauty line established by Posh in 2019 experienced a financial loss totaling approximately £4.7 million.

A representative for Victoria stated: “Although 2019 posed difficulties, the company managed to reduce its losses by half – a substantial stride towards profitability. The introduction of a highly profitable beauty line last year also contributed to an overall revenue increase of 7% compared to 2018. Both ventures are now committed to fostering growth that leads to profitability.”

The recently unveiled AW21 fashion collection has garnered positive reviews from fashion critics, while the beauty industry has experienced numerous sold-out items over the past few months.

As a seasoned fashion enthusiast who has been following the luxury market for years, I have to admit that the struggles of this high-end label, with its flagship store nestled in the heart of Mayfair, London, come as no surprise. With prices reaching an eye-watering £2,900 per item, it’s no wonder they’ve been hemorrhaging money since 2016, posting losses of £8.4 million, £4.6 million in 2017, and a staggering £12.2 million in 2018.

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2024-08-05 12:08

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