“Now was the right time to do this. Any sooner would have been too soon,” Beckham mused. “I spent 20 years building my brand. I was in the Spice Girls for four years—a time that I’m so proud of—but I’ve been so defined by that period. Even up until now, I’ve been fighting against those preconceptions. Now I feel that talking about my past and my journey isn’t going to have a negative effect on the brand that I’ve built. I’ve earned my place.”

Dressed in a pale pink silk dress and oxblood patent mules, the artist formerly known as Posh Spice took to the stage with Vanity Fair’s global editorial director, Mark Guiducci, for a relaxed chat. Between clips, the mom-of-four spoke earnestly about themes the project touches on—mental health, disordered eating, and plummeting self-esteem. “I didn’t go into this process even thinking about these things. They just naturally came up in a very organic way when in conversation with Nadia, the wonderful director,” Beckham said.

Guiducci also invited her to take part in Vanity Fair’s signature quick-fire Proust backpage questionnaire. Proving that she really does have comedic chops, the room burst into laughter as Beckham, diamonds sparkling under the light, responded to her biggest extravagance with, “I’m not that extravagant….” (Somewhere in the audience, Bravo boss Andy Cohen was probably thinking, “What if….?”)

Beckham also praised designer Roland Mouret for being instrumental in her professional journey—for believing in her from the start and helping her define how to dress for herself rather than anyone else’s gaze. “He said, ‘Kill the WAG. The boobs? The implants? They have got to go.’ I’m so sorry Anna, it feels weird saying that in front of you,” she laughed.

When asked by Vogue what she would tell the version of herself nervously awaiting press in a suite at The Waldorf Astoria all those years ago ahead of showing her first offering of ten dresses, Beckham paused to reflect. “Well, I wouldn’t have done anything differently because I really have enjoyed the process and made the most of it. And I couldn’t have worked any harder. I’d probably just put my arm around myself and say, ‘Go…enjoy the ride.’”

As guests trickled out of the screening room, Beckham ensured they had a parting gift: her 21:50 Rêverie fragrance. The scent, which tends to float through the air at her runway shows, was inspired by the night in 2001 when Beckham first told her husband she wanted to launch her own fashion house.