Nostalgia for travel shopping has overtaken me now as we shelter in place. I look back to the chilly day in January when I was completely won over by the charm and warmth of Victoria Beckham’s London flagship store. You wouldn’t automatically come to that conclusion walking into what looked like a museum. The space was gorgeous and bright with only a few products arranged on a wall as if the square footage wasn’t astronomically priced. That’s luxury. Then you see stairs and more stairs upwards given the feeling on an inner sanctum.
I was a little intimidated walking into the Dover Street boutique. But VB staff were lovely and gracious immediately and I lost myself in the splendor of the space. The shopgirl who attended to me did not hover but was warm and accessible. The dressing rooms were vast and spacious. I just got to enjoy my holiday afternoon. The clothes felt lovely, meticulously crafted and classic but in a modern way. These pieces would work for years to come. This is not a fashionista line. I didn’t spot a single superfluous piece from Victoria Beckham. And did I mention the door man and shopgirls were lovely?
Years ago, I was cheering a friend’s son on in an LA tag football game. There was a flurry of excitement when Victoria Beckham, husband and children arrived. Her son was on the opposing team. While everyone stared at David Beckham. I had all my attention on the Missus. She had on 4 inch stilettos, jeans and a shirt and I wondered how she walked in the grass without sinking in. She must have been walking on tip toes! She was amazing. I was dying to run over with my Elle magazine (she was on the cover)! But LA friend sternly warned “be cool”. So there was no running over for an autograph. In my mind I rehearsed walking past David Beckham, totally ignoring him to tell Victoria B. “You are the mother lode of style.” To which she would reply “I’d love to have a savvy random pal. Let’s keep in touch.”
Dreaming aside. Another revelation was her new makeup line. The eyeshadow pots and eyeliners are beyond similar luxury products by much more established beauty brands. I picked up all the pots and all the eyeliners. While reading reviews by beauty vloggers wondering who the products where for. I couldn’t help wanting to answer these are not for makeup aficionados who look to amass extensive makeup collections. This line is for women who want a few products they can carry everyday that work expeditiously and simply. I can even use the liners as shadow. This is modern, minimal and stress-free. I would like to see Midnight/Navy and Moss Green eyeliners. Unfortunately the Tuxedo and Signature eyeshadow palettes seemed to disappear into my natural skin color. And the one lip shade did not flatter me at all. But I am a fan of the cleanliness and the thoughtful curation…creation of the entire VB Beauty line.
I only know Victoria Beckham through the flagship experience, her products and designs. It is clear that she put herself wholeheartedly into her brand. She seems like a really intelligent, thoughtful and gracious person as her brand can only be an extension of herself. Victoria Beckham design things for women today in the thoughtful way Saint Laurent did before. Always forgiving always flattering way.
I recommend signing up for her newsletter so you can see the progression, timeliness and timelessness of her work if like me you can’t afford to buy it all.
Mari
One comment
Cool!