Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Fashion.
A Memorable Moment with Mother and Daughter on Stage
Victoria Beckham, celebrated fashion designer and former Spice Girl, was honored with the Entrepreneur Award at Harper's Bazaar’s Women of the Year awards. The prestigious accolade was made even more special as it was presented by her youngest child, 13 year old Harper Beckham.
Harper, visibly nervous yet excited, charmed the audience with her heartfelt speech at the ceremony held at Claridge's hotel. "I'm so nervous but excited to be here presenting the entrepreneur award, especially as tonight is a school night, and hopefully, this won't get me into trouble," she quipped, drawing warm laughter from the crowd.
She described her mother as "amazing" and someone she has always admired for teaching her the "value of working hard, dreaming big, and what it takes to succeed." Harper added, "Above all else, she’s taught me to always be kind, even though she has a million things to do and rarely misses school."
Victoria Beckham’s Pride and Journey to Success
Accepting the award, the 50 year old Beckham expressed immense pride in her daughter. "I’m so proud of her for getting up on stage in front of a room full of people," she said.
Victoria Beckham launched her eponymous fashion label in 2008. Since then, she has grown her brand to include beauty products and luxury accessories, achieving double-digit revenue growth over the last three years.
Beckham reflected on her brand's evolution, noting the challenges of building a business in the fiercely competitive fashion industry. "The company has been through so much over the last 17 years ups, downs, restructuring it’s been quite the journey. So, finally, to be able to say we’re profitable is something I’m so proud of because it’s not an easy industry, and it’s getting harder and harder," she said in an interview with Harper's Bazaar.
Despite its profitability in 2022, the company required a £6.9 million cash injection in 2023 due to operating losses of £200,000.
A Celebration of Women’s Achievements
The Women of the Year awards honored remarkable women across various fields, from fashion and film to art and sports.
Notable recipients included:
Dame Harriet Walter , who received the Icon Award for her extensive contributions to theatre, film, and TV. The 74 year old actor highlighted the representation of older women in the industry, stating, "I hope I can represent all the other older women who are still good at their job."
Dame Jilly Cooper , awarded the Writer Prize for her extraordinary contributions to literature over five decades.
Nicola Coughlan , known for *Bridgerton* and *Derry Girls*, who received the Television Actress Prize.
Sophie Turner , honored with the Performance Award for her impactful roles.
Raye , singer and songwriter, celebrated for her record breaking success, was named Woman of the Year alongside actress Ambika Mod, artist Rana Begum, designer Francesca Amfitheatrof, and Olympian Katarina Johnson Thompson.
The event featured presenters such as Jodie Comer, Golda Rosheuvel, Maya Jama, and Paapa Essiedu, adding star power to the evening.
A Night of Inspiration
Victoria Beckham’s recognition, accompanied by her daughter's touching tribute, highlighted a night dedicated to celebrating extraordinary women who inspire through their contributions, resilience, and creativity. From fashion to film, literature to athletics, the Women of the Year awards showcased the incredible achievements of women pushing boundaries across industries.
