After the group’s breakup, Beckham went on to pursue a solo career with several hit singles, while also designing a line of fashion for British high-street chain New Look, for which she became the first ever British designer to be awarded a British Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, in 2006. Since her appointment as designer of her own brand, Beckham has enjoyed increased success both as a designer and as a television personality, winning three British Fashion Awards, two Fashion Industry Medals, an Online Fashion Network Style Award, a CMA Fashion Icon Award, and two Teen Choice Awards. Beckham’s style has been the subject of commentary, and she has been the subject of intense public scrutiny; she has been labelled “fashion’s most famous” and “fashion’s queen”.
Beckham has continued to be a prominent fashion figure. In 2009, Beckham became a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Since 2014, Beckham has served as a British ambassador to Japan, one of her country’s largest trading partners. She has released a children’s book and an autobiography.
Beckham has earned a substantial amount of media attention and fan loyalty for her personal life. In the UK, she has been labelled as the “English Rose of Hollywood” by the press, and as the “Duchess of York” by the press in America. Her marriage to David Beckham, a former professional footballer for Manchester United, and her marriage to Robbie Williams, a British pop star, have been the subject of extensive tabloid coverage. In 2001, she underwent a wedding dress alteration, removing a 26-inch waist, before exchanging vows with Williams, creating a total wardrobe change during the ceremony.
Early life and education
Beckham was born on 17 April 1974 in Chingford, London, the daughter of Sharon and Tony Adams, a former rugby player. She was brought up in London, before later moving to Essex, near Stansted. She attended Bayview School in Loughton, a former co-educational independent school for girls, before studying English and history at Girton College, Cambridge. Beckham has English, Irish and German ancestry.
In 1994, the Adams family moved to California, in the United States, when Tony Adams joined the Los Angeles Galaxy. The move was reportedly an attempt to combat the family’s “hedonism”. Sharon had moved from the UK to the US to help David during the latter stages of his career, after a match in London had resulted in David suffering concussion. While in Los Angeles, Beckham was active in charities for children in developing countries, and sang in a choir. She also attended Pico Rivera High School and graduated in 1992.
In 2001, Beckham returned to England, becoming a British citizen, and in 2003, she met David Beckham at a party for her father. The couple dated for several years before marrying in a civil ceremony on 4 July 1999. They had a religious wedding on 8 July 1999 in an Anglican service at St Paul’s Church in Leighton Buzzard. The couple’s twins, Cruz and Harper, were born in June 2002. Beckham has a tattoo of a drawing of her favourite dog, Paul, on her left wrist. It represents her inner strength and endurance.
Career
Early years and modeling from Beckham
As a teenager, Beckham spent time modelling in Milan, Paris and New York City for designers including Giorgio Armani, Paul Smith, Burberry and Donna Karan. After appearing on the cover of US Vogue, Beckham became the highest paid British model. Beckham is reportedly worth an estimated £100 million ($168 million) to £250 million, and was ranked the world’s best-paid supermodel in the 2018 Forbes list. She has appeared on the covers of Vogue, GQ, Elle, Vanity Fair, British Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and US Vogue, and in the August 2006 issue of British GQ. She has appeared in advertisements for Chanel, Calvin Klein, Versace, Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent and the Giorgio Armani fragrance Italia.
Ultimately, Victoria Beckham, the HWT company and Victoria’s Secret together grossed a reported $2.9 billion in retail sales during the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.