Fashion
Victoria Beckham on workouts, shopping in M&S and finally feeling she has nothing to prove
By Stylist Team
11 years ago
Victoria Beckham is in the enviable position of being able to jump into bed with husband David every night, but the 40-year-old fashion designer's schedule is so busy, she admits she often ends up obsessing over her clothing line at all hours.
"I know that I’m lucky to be in a position to plan my diary around the kids’ assemblies and sports days. I never miss those. But on the other hand, I don’t ever watch TV," Victoria says, in a new interview with the Guardian's fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley.
"After dinner I’ll catch up with emails. And when I’m lying in bed I think about the next collection. That makes me sound insane, doesn’t it? That I’m getting into bed with David Beckham and thinking about clothes."
David and Victoria Beckham with sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz at a London premiere in December 2012
In a surprisingly personal and revealing interview, the ex-Spice Girl casts light on her hectic routine of managing a burgeoning international fashion collection - the Victoria Beckham label - with looking after her kids Brooklyn (15), Romeo (12), nine-year-old Cruz and three-year-old Harper.
What's even more surprising is that her average day sounds like that of any woman juggling childcare with a full-on work life.
"[I] get the kids up, do breakfast, check if there are any spelling tests or maths tests, if they need football boots," she explains.
"It’s complicated because two of the boys go to the same school, Brooklyn goes to a different school, Harper goes to another school, so usually David and I each do a school run."
With an estimated net worth £184 million, there's no need for either of the Beckhams to work but as Victoria explains, "I’ve always worked. The Spice Girls had a crazy schedule. I can’t imagine what I’d do all day if I didn’t work.
"I’m lucky that I do something I love, and I am proud as I think it’s a positive message to give to young women: if you want to have a career, and be married with children, then you can. It’s full-on, but it’s doable... Although my mum can’t understand why I’m working this hard now, to be honest."
Victoria with daughter Harper
Victoria notes that the paparazzi leaves her alone for the most part now - "I can walk to Marks & Spencer or to the park with the kids and I probably won’t be photographed" - but seeing friends is aspect of her life that suffers as a result of her punishing schedule.
"The part of the puzzle I find difficult is having a social life," she says. "Because I work and then go home to be with the children."
Even while doing the Guardian interview, Victoria is accompanied by her daughter Harper - she explains that "she [Harper] usually goes to bed at seven, but I’ve been at work all day, so I have hardly seen her."
In fact, in a cute snapshot of family life, Harper lets the interviewer, Jess, into the family home in London's Holland Park, saying: "Hello! I had a party. It was so good. It was my birthday. And now we’ve got goldfish. Have you got goldfish?"
Victoria wears a dress from her Spring 2015 collection as she attends Wimbledon with David this summer
Something Victoria has managed to shoehorn into her daily routine is going to the gym, a habit she began four years ago when she was pregnant with Harper in LA.
"I’ve never stopped," the mum-of-four explains. "Once I get into something, I do it properly."
She gets up at 6am on workdays to fit in a 90-minute workout with a trainer, along with running and attending SoulCycle classes.
And when it comes to cooking? "The most popular thing I make in my kitchen is a mango carved into a hedgehog. I do that and the kids tell everyone I’m an amazing cook," she reveals.
Victoria mixes with major fashion players at London Fashion Week, including (left to right) Roland Mouret, Natalie Massenet, Christopher Bailey, Mark Dybul and Anna Wintour
Aside from motherhood and gyming, much of Victoria's time is of course taken up with managing her blossoming Victoria Beckham fashion empire, now in its sixth year and a standard fixture on the international fashion week calendar.
The ex-pop star admits her success as a respected fashion designer - A-listers regularly grace the red carpet in her designs and she's on first name terms with Anna Wintour - has made her more confident and grounded.
"I used to wear clothes which would make me stand out and now I don’t so much because I don’t feel I have anything to prove," she says. "The first time [as a Spice Girl] around I felt famous, but now I feel successful."
In keeping with this theme, her role models are suitably accomplished, headstrong women.
"Hillary Clinton for a start," says Victoria, listing the people she admires. "I love her, don’t you? And Sheryl Sandberg. And Michelle Obama. Strong women, that’s who I really respect."
This is a strength that she channels in her own job, too. "The final decision is always mine," says Victoria. "It’s really important that every aspect of what we do – the clothes, the swing tags, the shelves, everything – represents my point of view, because that’s what the brand stands for."
Read the Guardian's full interview with Victoria Beckham here
Photos: Rex Features
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