The fashion press must have sore throats from all the praise they are loudly lavishing on Victoria Beckham right now. No, not for making the Nineties girl band reunion of our dreams happen at her 50th birthday party.
It’s because she has added another string to her well-styled bow with an “affordable” collab with high street chain Mango. The collection, which dropped yesterday, is pure Posh: think slinky bias-cut gowns, sharp tailoring and the sort of beachy knitwear that calls for a gleaming yacht as a finishing touch.
It follows her design aesthetic to the letter, which should delight the loyal fans who can’t stretch to the astronomical prices of her luxury line. Naturally, most of the pieces have sold out already (and are on their way to a Vinted feed near you), but I wonder who, exactly, is wearing them.
As a designer Beckham may have come a long way, but this sizing shortfall feels incredibly short-sighted.
The collection is chic, if a little bland. Beckham has said herself in interviews that no corners have been cut to make the high street collection, which tops out at the £300 mark.
But in a world where brands and retailers are falling over themselves to join the #bodypositive movement, can someone tell me why much of the collection only goes up to a measly size 12? The largest you’ll find is a size 14 in suiting.
The absence of size inclusivity is all the more baffling because Mango already offers an extended size line called Violeta by Mango. It has bigger patterns, templates and fits ready to go. How easy it would have been for VB to include designs for a curvier silhouette instead of outfits that are, let’s face it, only going to look good on a size 6 frame — and the campaign images prove it.
How much more thunderous the praise (and the profits) if she had made a collection that the general public could actually wear, instead of slinging them jewellery and bags as a consolation prize? As a designer Beckham may have come a long way, but this sizing shortfall feels incredibly short-sighted.
And don’t even get me started on the sustainability POV. Mango is one of the worst fashion offenders on ethics; beyond labelling up a few tees as “organic cotton”, it doesn’t do much else.
As for all the outlets running fawning reviews over the teeny-sized collection? Stop right now, thank you very much.
Abha Shah is the Evening Standard’s deputy shopping editor
