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 Victoria Beckham is spied on her cellphone at Winnipeg International Airport yesterday. She was reportedly shopping for a new jeans contract. (Marcel Cretain, SUN) |
WINNIPEG - She's a footballer's wife known for her sexy styles and lavish spending.
Yesterday, Posh Spice was spied shopping in Winnipeg for a new jeans contract.
Victoria Beckham flew in for a surprise visit Wednesday night to meet with brothers Michael and Bob Silver, who make chi chi denim at their Western Glove Works factory.
Company president Michael escorted the chic Brit to the airport where she was hustled past a Sun reporter and photographer. He exchanged kisses on the cheek with the former Spice Girl after dropping her off for a flight to Toronto.
"It's a major accomplishment for them if they do make this deal for her own (Victoria Beckham) line," said an industry insider.
"Gwyneth Paltrow made Blue Cult successful by wearing her favourite jeans and having her picture taken."
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Sources say only a big bid would lure the famous soccer wife from Germany where husband David's team is playing for the World Cup.
Reports out of the U.K. claim Victoria has been "at loggerheads" with U.S. jeans label Rock & Republic, which may not renew her one-year clothing contract set to expire shortly.
Michael said in April the Beckhams had questions about his pricey 1921 brand, which is sewn in Winnipeg, decorated in Tokyo and popular with A-list celebrities south of the border.
"We were contacted by Victoria Beckham and David Beckham who found the product in the store," Michael told a television station. "(They) wanted to know who the heck made these jeans, where is this place called Winnipeg in Canada and how could they get more jeans?"
Michael did not return a call from the Sun yesterday. Bob, who is chairman of Western Glove and part-owner of the Winnipeg Free Press, wouldn't confirm a meeting took place.
"I can't do that for any publication, not just the Sun," he said.
The 1921 brand sells for between $400 and $700 US and is more popular in the U.S. than in Canada. Its 2006 line of vintage-style Taku Art Jeans are sewn on antique sewing machines in Winnipeg and decorated in Tokyo with special hand tools.
Buyers choose their favourite style that is then given an original design by Japanese street artist Takuto Mochizuki.
A spokesperson for Los Angeles-based Rock & Republic could not be reached for comment yesterday. Its successful line of DVB denims are sold in Winnipeg exclusively by Swank Boutique on Taylor Avenue.
By coincidence, Swank owner Sam Guralnick received his "last shipment" of the $295 to $450 Beckham denims yesterday.
"The fit is outstanding... It's a popular brand with young people. There is gorgeous embroidery of a crown on the back pocket with studding or crystal."
Michael McMullen, who runs Warehouse One The Jeans Store, a division of Western Glove, was unaware his bosses were meeting with Beckham and expressed a desire to meet and do business with her.
"Tell Posh if you talk to her I'm on my front lawn kicking the (soccer) ball with my shirt off," he quipped. "I'm willing to give her a lifetime supply of jeans."