Victoria Beckham Empowers Women in Troubled Times

A model walks the runway for the Victoria Beckham show at New York Fashion Week on February 12, 2017 (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)

Victoria
Beckham on Sunday unveiled a beautifully tailored collection of clothes
designed to empower women, joined by husband David Beckham and their children.

David,
the British cultural icon and football legend, sat front row with
Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, in a blaze of flashing cameras after
sending his wife a bouquet and card to wish her luck.

Fashion editors, buyers and fans braved heavy rain and a freezing
New York morning for one thing only: a fall/winter 2017 collection of
classic, wearable clothes made for the global woman.

As Beckham — one half of likely Britain’s most famous power couple
— knows better than anyone, it was about keeping her customer happy
rather than creating the most innovative fashion on the block.

There was a British feel with heritage fabrics and a color palette
inspired by a gentleman’s club — oxblood, navy and black — mixed with
more feminine rose-beige, powder blue and lipstick red.

It was a look steeped in menswear — sharply tailored and oversized
outerwear — given a sexy, feminine edge with chiffon and georgette
frilled skirts, leather gloves worn to the elbow, and wedge and heeled
boots.

There were also flat, masculine black shoes with a pointy toe and double buckle. The bag of the season was a sleek vanity-box.

“Never has there been a time where it is more important to empower women,” Beckham told reporters.

“It’s about making her feel strong and powerful,” she said.

The show was not a radical departure: as Beckham said herself, there
was a familiarity to the collection, which showcased the craftsmanship
of beautifully made clothes to offer a working wardrobe for the woman
who can afford it.

Without explicitly referencing Donald Trump’s rocky first weeks as
president and Brexit back home, she evoked the uncertain political
times.

“There is so much going on at the moment in the world and I think
that we have to be optimistic. We have to be positive,” she said. “So what can I do to make my customer feel that? And like I said it’s
just about really beautiful clothes and luxury and strength.”

“It’s always about empowering women,” she added. “I’m always influenced by menswear and how can I evolve that each season.”

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