Victoria Beckham debuted a gamine new haircut as well as her fashion line

Mention Victoria Beckham’s name to any fashionista and you’ll get a barrage of criticism. Too short, too tight, too much cleavage… would be the general response – and as a rule they’re not wrong. But could this opinion be on the verge of change?

Yesterday afternoon saw the launch of La Beckham’s first line of dresses.  And there was hardly a line of negativity from the hard-to-please fashion press.

The line also looks set for commercial success as buyers have already begun competing over the rights to sell the A-list WAG’s design debut.

The 10-piece collection under the ‘Victoria Beckham’ label is made up entirely of dresses. Taking a lead from the former Spice Girl’s signature style, the figure-hugging styles bear more than a little resemblance to Roland Mouret’s sellout ‘Galaxy’ dress of two years ago.

There is a notable absence of cleavage though, and all hemlines fall a couple of inches below the knee, lending a sophisticated edge. There was also a subtle nod to the trend for fetish-inspired detail with rose gold zips running the full length of each dress.

Pussy-bow necklines and high waistlines were rather more demure trend-inspired details, which lent a classic, almost retro feel.

Interior corsetry is a highlight of the collection. Grosgrain waistbands and shoulderpads make for clever nips and tucks that fit and flatter the wearer.  A feature sure to guarantee success.

Mrs. Beckham, who claims to have had no assistance in designing the line, said the collection was ‘my dream of a lifetime'.

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Nip tuck: A key feature of Victoria Beckham's line is figure-fixing interior corsetry

Citing celebrities Nigella Lawson and Helen Mirren as her dream customer,  she said ‘I always wanted to be a fashion designer. Then along came the Spice Girls which opened a lot of doors for me. And, let¹s be honest, closed a lot. But those days are over. I was never going to be the world’s best singer, but I hope I can be a good designer.’

The line features a muted palette of black, navy, oyster and ivory, with just a flash of cobalt blue. Fabrics are high-end - organza and silk gazar – the type usually reserved for couture creations.

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Sophisticated: The line of dresses features high necklines and low hemlines in a sombre, wearable palette

The low-key launch took place in a private suite at New York’s Waldorf Hotel. The absence of a catwalk show prompting speculation of a rivalry between Mrs. Beckham and sometime friend Katie Holmes, who is also launching a fashion line this week.

The venue set the tone for the collection however, for exclusivity appears to be the watchword.  Produced by a team of five in a small London atelier, prices will start from around £650, and only 400 dresses will be made in its first season.

The line is expected to hit stores in February.