Victoria Beckham hints she could be launching a menswear collection
Her namesake fashion label is best known for svelte, feminine silhouettes intended to 'form the basis of the modern woman's wardrobe'.But this morning Victoria Beckham, 51, unveiled her first foray into menswear - just in time for the 'proudest' moment of her husband's life so far.Today, David, 50, was finally knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle after years of longing in recognition of his services to sport and charity.It was the perfect opportunity for Lady Beckham, as she will now be known, to debut her first-ever menswear item, with David wearing a three-piece custom morning suit personally designed and fitted by his wife.The suit was crafted from a British wool and mohair blend in a deep charcoal grey, featuring a sharply tailored lapel and tailcoat.Victoria, meanwhile, wore a custom version of her brand's Bela dress - perhaps symbolising the future of her fashion brand: a dual approach with clothing for both men and women.Since launching 17 years ago, Victoria's designs have been worn by the Princess of Wales, Meghan Markle, Lady Gaga, Kendall Jenner, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Gal Gadot, and Naomi Campbell.But despite glittering celebrity endorsements, the brand has suffered mixed fortunes over the years, only first making a profit in 2022 after her husband gave her a bailout worth millions.Speaking to the Daily Mail, fashion experts have revealed that a move into menswear would be a 'natural progression' for the Victoria Beckham fashion empire - especially to secure the brand's financial future. This morning, David Beckham, 50, was finally knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle after years of longing in recognition of his services to sport and charityUK stylist Lisa Talbot said: 'It would be a very natural progression for Victoria Beckham to move into menswear. 'Her brand has always been rooted in refined tailoring, clean silhouettes and understated luxury, all of which translate beautifully into menswear. 'David has been her muse for years, and we've already seen glimpses of her aesthetic through the bespoke pieces she's created for him and their sons.'Launching a menswear line could also inject new energy into her business. The menswear market has grown steadily over the past few years, and having David as a living ambassador gives the brand immediate credibility. 'What's interesting is that Victoria's designs have matured from the ultra-glam dresses of her early collections to a more structured, minimalist aesthetic, something men's fashion increasingly embraces.'PR expert Chad Teixeira added: 'A Victoria Beckham menswear line could attract a fresh audience and bring renewed commercial energy to the brand, especially if it balances her signature sophistication with David's more relaxed, British-cool sensibility.'It's not the first time Victoria has teased a potential foray into men's fashion, as she seemed to hint at a soft launch in June last year when she designed a suit for their youngest son, 20-year-old Cruz. She is said to have made a handful of more casual outfits for Cruz to wear to her Paris Fashion Week shows. Significantly, David was wearing a suit designed by his wife for the 'proudest moment' of his life so farHe posted a story to Instagram at the time, wearing a classic pinstripe blazer with a white shirt and red tie, tagging his mother's account, @victoriabeckham. A delighted Victoria then reposted the look to her story, confirming she had designed it herself, writing: 'Custom VB for Cruzie!!'Meanwhile, on her website, the former singer currently sells a £550 'men's' denim shirt - perhaps a small hint at what's to come in the future. The piece embodies 'traditional masculine design codes' with an 'oversized fit for an off-duty aesthetic', including a front pocket and tobacco topstitching. In terms of how this could look in her future brand, Lisa said: 'If she does take this step, I think we'd see a continuation of her signature precision, sleek, sharply cut suits, tonal layering, and luxurious fabrics. It could broaden her brand's reach while staying true to her identity as a designer of modern sophistication.' Chad added: 'The transition must be handled carefully. Victoria Beckham's brand equity lies in precision and polish, so expanding into menswear should feel like an extension of her creative DNA, not a marketing grab. 'Consumers today can spot authenticity instantly, and the success of a move like this depends on storytelling that feels organic, but not opportunistic.'To make a menswear line truly successful, Victoria will need to lean into what has always set her apart, which is an instinct for timeless design and a deep understanding of personal branding. It's not the first time Victoria has teased a potential foray into men's fashion, as she seemed to hint at a soft launch in June last year when she designed a suit for their youngest son, 20-year-old Cruz Cruz was believed to be wearing the suit in September last year at Victoria's fashion show'Collaborating with David, whether formally or just as creative inspiration, would instantly lend credibility and visibility, but it's equally important that the collection stands on its own creative merit. 'Focusing on exceptional tailoring, premium materials, and understated luxury will resonate with modern male consumers who value quiet confidence over flashy logos. 'A strong digital strategy, storytelling rooted in British craftsmanship, and partnerships that highlight the Beckham family's global influence could create a powerful launch moment.' Ahead of Tuesday's ceremony, the Daily Mail revealed that the secret project of David's suit began back in June, when the couple learned that the former Manchester United star would be knighted in the King's Birthday Honours.David went for several fittings at his wife's atelier in her west London offices and is said to be 'extremely happy' with the results. 'David teases Victoria that she never makes him any clothes,' a friend of the couple told the Daily Mail.'So when they found out in the spring that David was going to get his big day at Windsor later in the year, Victoria decided that she had enough time to make it happen.'She has never done anything like this before and she was aware it would be time-consuming but Victoria knew the investiture would be some way off,' a source explained. The brand has faced middling fortunes despite its clientele including the Princess of Wales (pictured wearing a Victoria Beckham suit last month)'Victoria got to work, designing the three-piece suit and, as she doesn't do anything by halves, she threw herself into it and made sure it was absolutely perfect.'The fact that David is wearing a Victoria Beckham outfit will make a special day even more special.'Together, the couple is worth a whopping £500million, according to this year's Sunday Times Rich List - but the Victoria Beckham fashion brand has been far from plain sailing. With offices in London and New York, and a flagship store in Mayfair, the brand has in the past been the winner of Best Designer Brand and Brand of the Year at the British Fashion Council's Fashion Award. Despite outward initial success through celebrity endorsements, by 2016, the company was 'tens of millions in the red' and had racked up losses of over £66million. By 2019, David Beckham had reportedly bailed out his wife's fashion brand with a £23million cash injection.The former England footballer gave Victoria's company a £4million loan as well as £6.6million in cash in Spring 2016 in order to keep her business afloat. By the end of 2022, Victoria's business was finally in the black, showing a profit of £200,000 – 14 years after the former pop star embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. On her website, the former singer currently sells a £550 'men's' denim shirt - perhaps a small hint at what's to come in the futureIt was reported that the revenue of her fashion and beauty business had more than doubled, with sales soaring by 52 per cent to £89million last year, from £59million in 2022.An £890 clutch bag, a £30 eyeliner and a carefully orchestrated social media strategy which saw her post make-up tutorial videos on TikTok, were all credited with the turnaround.Coming just as Victoria turned 50, a friend told the Daily Mail: 'It feels like two special milestones have come together. Victoria is just so happy.' In October 2024, the designer told Vogue France the brand had finally made a profit, more than a decade after launching her own fashion label.'This is just the beginning. I have lots of ambitions, and I work hard to achieve my goals. I never wait for things to just fall into my lap,' she said.'It's such an exciting time. This year, we made a profit! This takes time, especially for an independent brand. My perfume isn't a license - I own it.'Now that I have laid down the groundwork for the house, the real work can begin.'However, in August, the Guardian reported that losses were growing once more and the brand had received a £6.2million loan to bail it out of difficulties. But all hope is not lost. 'If she combines her meticulous eye for detail with a modern understanding of how men actually dress today, Victoria Beckham’s menswear could evolve into one of her brand’s most commercially and culturally significant chapters, as well as securing its future financially,' Chad commented. Alison Lowe MBE, Fashion Consultant, said: 'If executed well, a move into luxury menswear could really strengthen the label and "brand Beckham", but there are also risks. 'The brand has a strong womenswear aesthetic and identity that could be diluted if not carefully managed. There is also financial risk in developing a whole new category that would require considerable extra investment in design, production, marketing and retail. 'The safe option would be to trial menswear through a capsule collection to test the market.'The Victoria Beckham brand could look quite different if menswear is integrated into the label, but it could be the brand refresh and financial boost the label needs to increase its long-term stability.'
