She is the style icon for a generation, her carefully coiffed and coutured image plastered across tabloid front pages. But Victoria Beckham takes her fashion inspiration from British teachers.

The artist formerly known as Posh Spice claims that, despite her move to Los Angeles, her dress sense remains more Beverley Hughes than Beverly Hills.

“I’m very British in my style - think schoolteacher,” she said during a forthcoming interview with Company magazine. “I love pencil skirts and fitted blouses, classic-cut dresses and well-fitted jeans, mixed with classic tailoring.”

The singer launched her own fashion label during New York fashion week this year to unexpectedly rave reviews.

The dresses went on sale at Selfridges earlier this month, and will be available at Harrods next month.

“I was never that good a singer, but I think I am good at fashion,” the former Spice Girl has said. “Even at school, where I was bullied, I was always customising my uniform.”

And, speaking about her new, pedagogical style, she insisted the best fashion role models are those who are confident with their own look. “It’s always good to know what suits you,” she said. “Your signature style is whatever makes you feel happy, confident and sexy. Don’t follow the crowd - go your own, fabulous way.”

Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, found the revelation surprising, but not unwelcome.

“I’m glad Victoria Beckham has recognised that so many teachers do their best to present themselves,” she said. “Hopefully, if pupils don’t respect teachers for their subject knowledge, they will at least now respect them for their fashion sense.”

Victoria Beckham’s interview will appear in ‘Company’ magazine, published on December 20.