Victoria Beckham Handbags NY Fashion Week

On the ever-growing list of celebrity fashion designers, Victoria Beckham has earned a legitimate place among the 7th Avenue elite. In less than five years, the 36-year-old style icon has transitioned from former Spice Girl into a bona fide fashion and business mogul. It seems like just yesterday that I was coveting a pair of the Swarovski crystal emblazoned, crown pocket designer jeans that “Posh” had created in collaboration with California-based Rock and Republic. That was back in 2005, and I was pretty much obsessed with owning a pair of the exclusive “VB Rocks” designer jeans, partially because they promised to give my less-than-bootylicious derriere some much needed lift, but mostly because I lusted after that oh-so-chic VB signature, the crown logo.

My VB Rocks Designer Jeans

Fast forward to 2010 and I was experiencing that same giddy excitement with news that Beckham was launching her own line of designer handbags! The Victoria Beckham Handbag Collection made its debut to a select group of editors, retailers and stylists on Sunday, September 12 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. The unveiling took place during an intimate preview of the Victoria Beckham Spring 2011 Collection, where pieces from the new designer handbag line were used to accessorize each look. Plans for a Fall / Winter 2011 collection of Victoria Beckham handbags are already in the works!

In the article, Victoria Beckham Designs Herself a New Everyday Bag—and a Travel Tote for David!, InStyle.com posted an exclusive look at the Victoria Beckham Spring 2011 designer dresses and designer handbags that are sure to be an immediate hit. Reportedly available in waxed matte croc, lizard and calf, the structured “Victoria Satchel” is one of Beckham’s must-have items from the line. “It’s one of my favorites. This is the bag I’ll use everyday,” she said.

Another Posh favorite is a roomy travel tote that she designed with husband David Beckham in mind. “I had to put a bag in the collection that David would use,” she stated. “It fits loads…He’ll fill it with track suits.”

Victoria has been well known to be a massive fan of Hermès designer handbags, but it sounds like she won’t need to add to her collection of countless Birkin bags and Kelly bags anytime soon. “A Beckham can replace your Birkin,” she was overheard saying to a guest.

Just last month, in its article The Beckham Bag Lady, British Vogue reported that Beckham had enlisted none other than accessories designer extraordinaire Katie Hillier to consult on the new line of designer handbags. Hillier, who was named by Elle Magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential Names in British Fashion on its yearly Power List, received the coveted title of Accessories Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2009. A fashion powerhouse in her own right, she has worked with London-based fashion designer Luella Bartley, hip young UK designer Henry Holland, British fashion royalty Stella McCartney, and most famously, as Creative Consultant for Marc by Marc Jacobs where various styles of her Hillier Hobo Handbag remain best-sellers. Late last year, the 36-year old launched her own

Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo

line of designer jewelry, a collection of whimsical “animal doodle” necklaces that appear to have been crafted from, of all things, paperclips! Beginning with her signature 18 Carat Gold paperclip bunny necklace – which was recently worn by Academy Award and Grammy Award-nominated Rapper M.I.A. in a photo spread for Rolling Stone magazine – Hillier to include a diamond-eyed owl, mouse, dog, snail and squirrel.

But fear not, VB fans. Animal shapes (not that they’re not adorable – I want that bunny necklace!) were not the basis for Beckham’s designer handbag collection. Speaking to the UK’s The Daily Mirror (see A VERY Posh bag lady: Victoria Beckham hires top designer to consult on first handbag line), a Beckham spokesperson confirmed that, while Hillier was consulted, the designs themselves are 100% Victoria. “Katie has consulted on the technical aspects of bag construction in line with her experience in the industry,” said the Beckham rep. “This collection is not a collaboration. As with all her ranges, Victoria has sought the best consultants to ensure the highest level of quality at manufacture for her designs.”

Initial news of the designer handbag line came on the heels of some significant changes within the fashion arm of Beckham Brand Limited. In 2009, as the Victoria Beckham Dress Collection entered its fourth season, the famed fashionista gave a complete overhaul to her designer denim and eyewear collections. As reported by Women’s Wear Daily in December (see Victoria Beckham: A Celebrity Designer Driven to Succeed), Beckham’s designer eyewear is now being handled by British company Cutler and Gross. As for her line of designer jeans, she is no longer working with Western Glove Works and the dVb designer label has been phased out, replaced by the even more craveworthy Victoria Beckham Denim Collection. Available at Net-a-porter.com and at such leading retailers as Bergdorf Goodman, Harvey Nichols and Maria Luisa, the high-end designer denim line consists of everything from ankle-zip skinny jeans and lace leggings to a draped leather jacket and a sexy, sheer double layer tank.

Speaking to WWD about the changes, Beckham explained, “After the success of the dress collection, it just seemed like a natural progression to really take control and take the denim and the sunglasses in-house…Everything is now under Victoria Beckham. DVb is no more. Everything is different,” she said, adding that the silhouettes, denim and factories have all changed.

And based on everything we’ve seen so far, I, for one, couldn’t be more thrilled. While I admit that it would be hard for Mrs. David Beckham to do anything wrong in my books, the revamped denim collection, which debuted this past Spring, is sharper and sleeker than its dVb predecessor. With edgy elements like rivets, back zippers and panel detailing, the new and improved (for me anyway!) Victoria Beckham Denim Collection seems to have a lot more variety and fashion-forward appeal.

Not to mention the fact that I’m head-over-heels crazy about what we’ve seen from the 26-piece Spring 2011 Victoria Beckham dress collection that she previewed on September 12. Narrating the show herself, Beckham said, “What’s alluring for me this season are the curves of a women’s figure—sensual volume and a defined silhouette that allows for a freedom of movement.” Elegance, figure-flattery and comfort: what more could a fashionista ask for?! :)

Now, if we can just find out when the new Victoria Beckham handbag collection will hit stores! Are you looking forward to checking out the Beckham designer handbags for yourself? Let us know! Until then, I hope you’re enjoying a chic and stylish end-of-summer. Fabulous Fall fashion is just around the corner!

My VB Rocks Designer Jeans

P.S. As you can see from the pics above, I eventually did get a pair of those “VB Rocks” crown pocket, Rock and Republic designer jeans. Although they put a massive dent in my pocketbook at the time, they remain one of my fave denim purchases to this day. It’s been four years since I bought them and they’ve held up incredibly well. (Too bad I can’t say the same for the derriere. LOL!)