I’ll level with you, I really like Victoria Beckham. I always have (even when all she could do was pout and mime), except, perhaps, for that awful wag phase, but even then I always had a sneaky eye cast over her. Trouble is, I’ve never liked what she’s worn – until her recent style makeover.

Yesterday she celebrated her 37th birthday in Beverly Hills (where else?) and it got me thinking about her career. I wonder if Victoria Beckham ever envisioned she’d have a fashion empire and a name as one of the most sought-after designers before she hit 40? I didn’t see it coming when I was dancing to Wannabe, I tell ya.

Since the launch of her eponymous dress collection, which has now expanded into handbags and sunglasses, like you didn’t know, she’s been heralded season after season for her elegant feminine designs that just keep getting stronger.

Sure, she might have ripped off found inspiration from Roland Mouret and pinched a design from Osman, but if you can’t put your friendship with women’s favourite designers to good use what’s the meaning of life anyway?

I kid. Credit where credit’s due, Victoria can design, and she can do it brilliantly. Impeccable tailoring and and fit to flatter every woman’s figure, her signature draping and exquisite cuts are earning her brownie points in fashion editors’ diaries and beyond – utterly chic, utterly Beckham.

And her move into handbags was nothing short of genius. Classic, timeless and totally sophisticated, she’s surpassed everyone’s expectations with uber elegant designs that are screaming to be worn everywhere, and though I admit I’ve never seen one in real life, Victoria’s extensive Birken collection and Hillier’s know-how assures me they’ll be exquistely executed.

A few years ago I’d have laughed if you said Victoria Beckham would be designing collections that women actually want to wear and bags that I’m seriously beginning to covet (that oversized yellow clutch and that big red box bag, are you kidding me?), but I’m fascinated by her twist of fashion fate and steaming success.

Against all odds she’s become fashion’s darling, and me and my copy of Spice World are chuffed.

But I want to know what you think of Victoria Beckham’s rise in the industry: do you dig her designs or are they over-rated? Flick through the gallery below to see her latest handbag collection and let us know your thoughts…

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