Star sportsman? Yes. Heart-throb? Yes. Instant style icon? Not quite. Beckham was thrust into the spotlight in the early 1990s, which, to be fair to him, wasn’t a highlight in fashion’s history. But questionable outfits aside, one thing Beckham has been from the off is experimental. For the first time, we had a footballer who bridged the gap between two of the world’s most watched industries, and this is what really set him apart.
Beckham credits his interest in style to one of his earliest football coaches, who made sure the team were always dressed sharply in shirts and ties when they were off the field. He spent his first few Premiere League years doing the odd photoshoot, but it was in 1997 when he met Spice Girl Victoria “Posh” Adams that the Beckham fashion empire was truly born.
As Victoria stepped away from music to launch her fashion label, Beckham continued to prove his style credentials, launching his sell-out collaboration with H&M, which later included bodywear and children's lines. He also collaborated with Belstaff, launching a collection of 10 biker jackets.
But it was in 2015 that Beckham really took the plunge, buying stakes in British heritage-wear brand Kent & Curwen, bringing creative director Daniel Kearns on board. The pair have launched many successful collections since then, the latest being a collaboration with hit television show Peaky Blinders.
And it looks like Beckham's fashion influence is set to continue, as he takes on the role of Ambassadorial President at the British Fashion Council, through which he will partner with Adidas to provide opportunities to emerging fashion talent.
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