Victoria Beckham stays sumptuous at NY fashion week

NEW YORK, Sept 9, 2012 (AFP) - Victoria Beckham sent out a sumptuous spring-summer 2013 collection Sunday during New York fashion week, proving her designing career is no flash in the Spice Girl pan.

With her smiling and supportive soccer star husband David Beckham in the front row, Beckham eschewed the edginess of many of this season's looks by sticking to the feminine lines that she does best.

"We focused on texture this year more than on color," she told AFP backstage after her show at the New York public library, pointing out the use of chiffon and graphic lace.

One of the surprises was the footwear: not just strappy high-heel boots, but also flat sandals, created by Manolo Blahnik.

Beckham, who first showed in New York in 2008 when her collection was made up of just 10 pieces, was especially proud of her more tailored looks and the daring yet smart lingerie under sheer silk.

"I pushed it a little bit further," she said.

"I was also really excited to bring trousers this season, with seaming details... I want women to feel good, to feel empowered and confident," she explained.

"The collection is versatile, modern, and there is an ease about it," added Beckham, as her husband proudly cradled their year-old daughter Harper in his arms nearby. "There isn't a thing out there that I wouldn't wear myself."

Beckham prudently chose to show in an early time slot Sunday, getting a jump on a raft of big-name designers and labels including Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY and Thakoon Panichgul.

Also showing Sunday was Tracy Reese, riding a wave of publicity after First Lady Michelle Obama picked one of her dresses to wear for her speech at the Democratic National Convention.