Designer and former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, who has been candid about her struggles with body image and disordered eating in the past, has opened up in a new interview about how her attitude towards thinness has changed – and how she's glad that daughter, Harper, 10, has grown up seeing a more diverse array of bodies. However, whilst it's interesting to hear how VB's personal attitude has evolved, it's key to remember that body types and weight should never be dictated by fashion trends.
Speaking about her new collection of dresses, which she has described as form-fitting, Victoria told Grazia, "There are a lot of really curvy women in Miami [where the Beckham family spends a lot of time], and they really own it, you know?
"They walk along Miami beach with not a lot of clothes on, and they look fantastic. They show their bodies off with such confidence. I found both their attitude and their style really liberating, and as a mother, I loved that Harper was around women who were really celebrating their curves and enjoying how they look."
She added that – at least in her eyes – societal views towards praising thinness now appear "old-fashioned [...] wanting to be really thin, I think women today want to look healthy and curvy [instead]". And while this may be true for some, again, can we just re-stress that whatever body you're in, it's equally worthy of love and cool clothes.
Victoria also commented on her own body, which in the past has (unfairly) been the subject of endless discussion, with one now infamous moment – that saw presenter Chris Evans ask her to weigh herself on a scale on his show TFI Friday, twelve weeks postpartum – forever etched into the minds of many.
"It's not about being a certain size. It's about knowing who you are and being happy with who you are," she shared. "I have found my own balance between wanting to have fun and being disciplined about eating healthily and working out
Everyone's clicking on...
"When you're younger you fight against that balance, but through being older I've reached a place where I know what that balance looks like. I just know what works for me."
We're glad to hear Victoria feels she's in a much happier place nowadays – and that the message that health and happiness looks different on everybody is starting to dominate the discourse when it comes to body type 'ideals'.
Beat is the UK's leading charity dedicated to helping people with eating disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating, and want to seek help, call their helpline on 0808 801 0677 or visit their website for more information.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
