Jade Thirlwall leans on bold Off-White look as Brit Awards night arrives
jade thirlwall will attend the Brit Awards tonight in a custom Off-White look by IB Kamara, a layered outfit she says helps her step into a pop‑star persona as she competes for two awards.
Off-White outfit built for layers and a quick turnaround
Thirlwall chose a multi‑layered ensemble created by IB Kamara and his team: a catsuit, skirt and a bomber jacket, with boots and a matching bag in the same print. The designer had just a month to produce the custom look; the team exchanged ideas by email and aimed for a modern take on a red‑carpet gown. Thirlwall says she wanted layers so she could remove the jacket and skirt for the after party when it gets warmer.
Jade Thirlwall on fashion, influences and feeling braver
For Thirlwall, fashion and music go hand in hand. She works with stylists Zach and Jamie on visuals for music videos, performances and red carpets, and says entering her solo artist era prompted conversations about stepping up the fashion choices and which designers to approach. She notes that, in a girl group, designers often want to loan to the whole group or just one member, whereas going solo has opened more doors.
Last year’s Brit Awards marked Thirlwall’s first solo performance; she wore a frothy Regency‑inspired baby‑blue denim dress by Glen Martens for Diesel that echoed her 'Angel of my Dreams' music video and landed on many best‑dressed lists. This year she says loud, brave looks help her put on a pop‑star persona and make her feel more confident—"If I wore something really safe and 'normal', I would be more nervous, " she says.
North East rivals and the night’s performers
The ceremony kicks off in Manchester tonight (Saturday, February 28) and is available to watch on ITV from 8. 15pm. Representing the North East alongside Thirlwall is Sam Fender, the Seventeen Going Under hitmaker and North Shields native, who is up for four accolades including album of the year for 'People Watching'. Thirlwall, from South Shields and who rose to fame in the X‑Factor winning group Little Mix, is hoping to win two Brits: artist of the year and pop act.
Harry Styles will perform at the ceremony. Lola Young and Grammy winner Olivia Dean lead the nominations. Other performers on the bill include Olivia Dean and singer‑songwriter Raye, rock band Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson and American singer‑songwriter Sombr, whose real name is Shane Boose.
Industry honours already decided and other notes from the list
Advance winners named for the night include Noel Gallagher of Oasis, who will be named songwriter of the year, and record producer and DJ Mark Ronson, who will be honoured with the outstanding contribution to music award. Singer‑songwriter PinkPantheress, whose real name is Victoria Walker, is the recipient of this year’s Producer of the Year Award.
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Thirlwall also recalls her first Off‑White show invitation and the nerves she felt entering a fashion world that can seem cliquey, but says everyone was nice once she arrived. She names old‑school influences she brings into stage looks—Diana Ross with her sequins and feather boas—and pulls from 2000s figures such as Dennis Rodman and Gwen Stefani, plus musical theatre references; she says her That's Showbiz Baby tour included a lot of references from "Caba" (unclear in the provided context).
The Brit Awards ceremony in Manchester tonight remains the next confirmed event: Thirlwall will appear in the custom Off‑White look and compete for artist of the year and pop act as the show airs from 8. 15pm on ITV, with performances from Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Raye, Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson and Sombr.
