Victoria Beckham's a 'high street designer' says D&G's Gabbana

She's a former Spice Girl, model and the business head behind the family Beckham brand, and we'd assumed by now a bona fide fashion designer to boot.

But Victoria Beckham's fashion efforts have taken something of a knock as designers Dolce & Gabbana denied her high end credentials.

Speaking at the launch of the Victoria and Albert exhibition The Glamour Of Italian Fashion 1945-2014, Gabbana said: "She's a friend. She make a good job but ... for us, she don't make the same way like a fashion designer.

"She become after many, many, many different things. She's a designer but ... "

"She's a fashion designer but it's another ... it's different. John Galliano is a designer ... Alexander McQueen."

Dolce described their work as 'professional', comparing Victoria to the high street side of design: "Victoria Beckham, Zara, H&M ... there's a lot."

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VB's fashion house has gone from strength to strength, gaining critical acclaim and a legion of celebrity (and non celebrity) fans.

But though she now mixes in the same circles as D&G and counts them among her fashion pals, she probably won't be impressed with their comments, having worked extremely hard to be taken seriously in the industry.

D&G also had some thoughts on Italian versus British fashion, saying the latter is 'more cool and trendy'. We're inclined to agree but have to say there's something about those classic Italian designers that just ooze glamour.

The exhibition at the V&A runs until July 27 with Italian designs from the 1940s to modern day, including pieces from Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Gianfranco Ferre, Gucci, Missoni, Versace, Fendi and Prada.