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"She takes conventional dresses and makes them stand out," said Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue. But a dedication to perfection has played a significant part in the advancement of her fashion career. Yet Beckham, by her own account, is a wobbly work in progress. "I'm aware that I'm working my way up the ladder," she said. "I have a long, long way to go." With her business partner, Simon Fuller, the creator of American Idol, she presides over a luxury brand encompassing dresses, denim, sunglasses and now a line of handbags that debuted on the runway last week. Her dresses are magnets for well-heeled clients. Their growing allegiance has contributed to sales in excess of $7 million last year, said Zach Duane, the company's senior vice-president for business development, a figure that will likely hold steady through this year as well. Not so impressive, perhaps, by the standards of high profile fashion companies that tally their sales in the billions of dollars. But Beckham envisions a measured growth for her brand. "We are moving in baby steps," she said of the line, mostly financed at the outset with the proceeds - less than $1 million - from the sales of the Beckhams' successful fragrance line. The collection is tightly distributed - the dresses are made in England and carried in 20 stores around the world. New denim and eyewear collections are being sold in 100 stores, Duane said, and freestanding Victoria Beckham boutiques are in the offing.