Model-turned-designer Victoria Beckham says that there was a time when she knew that she was a "bit of a laughing stock". But, she says that while people were busy laughing at her, she was building her successful career in fashion.

The 40-year-old said it was a struggle to prove herself in the fashion industry after initially rising to prominence for her pop career, reports mirror.co.uk.

"For a long time there, I was a bit of a laughing stock. And while everybody was busy laughing, what was I doing? I was laying the foundation to what I have in place now," said Beckham.

The mother of four also said it's good she doesn't have to rely on advertising.

"It's a double-edged sword really. The most valuable part of being famous is that you have a voice and people will listen. I mean I can get a lot of attention. I don't have to rely on advertising campaigns," added Beckham.

The designer made her grand debut at New York Fashion Week in 2008 and said that the fact that everyone thought she would fail, took some pressure off her.

"Everybody said, 'Well it's never going to work because a celebrity can't do a line'. Everyone thought it was going to be rubbish (it took) the pressure off a little bit. I didn't go into this to prove anything to anybody other than myself," said Beckham.

Beckham, who recently celebrated her 40th birthday, isn't a fan of celebrity life and says she'd rather focus on her successful fashion empire.

"I like to keep my head down, work hard, focus on what I'm doing business-wise. I like to try and control how much I'm seen. I don't want to go out and be photographed every day, you know," she said.