Jade Thirlwall at the BRITs: style choices that divided the Manchester red carpet

Riley Calderon

Published: March 1, 2026 2:08 PM ET

Jade Thirlwall at the BRITs: style choices that divided the Manchester red carpet

jade thirlwall arrived at the BRIT Awards red carpet amid a night of divisive fashion in Manchester, where several high-profile looks prompted as many headlines for missteps as for statements. The evening's mix of daring design and questionable fit mattered because it highlighted how closely style and performance remain linked for contemporary pop acts.

Leading worst-dressed mentions: Tallia Storm and Fleur East on the carpet

Tallia Storm, 27, led early criticism in a skin-tight plunging catsuit that featured a cartoon-inspired print, a look the coverage called ill-suited to the biggest night in UK music. Close behind was Fleur East, identified as the host of Strictly It Takes Two, who stepped out in a brown satin co-ord with a dramatic white collar and sleeve detailing. Observers noted that Fleur's outfit appeared too tight in areas, a fit issue the write-up suggested would make sitting down to watch the ceremony uncomfortable for the Sax singer.

Jade Thirlwall on the carpet: nominations, a practical brief and a bold quote

Jade Thirlwall arrived as a nominee for Artist of the Year and Best Pop Act and spoke on the carpet about her outfit choices. She said her outfit inspiration was motivated by wanting "something practical" for the evening while also wanting to "serve c***. " The broader coverage contrasted that assertion with other reactions to attendees' looks.

Custom Off-White and last year’s solo-era moment

Thirlwall has framed fashion as part of her solo-artist identity. Last year's BRIT Awards marked her first performance as a solo artist, when 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. For the current ceremony she said she was wearing custom Off-White designed by IB Kamara and the team: a multi-layered look built from a catsuit, skirt and a bomber jacket, plus boots and a matching bag in the same print. Thirlwall said the team had just a month to create the look, that they emailed lots of ideas back and forth, and that the design aimed to be a modern take on a red-carpet gown. She added the practical benefit that, because it was multi-layered, she could remove the jacket and the skirt for the after party.

How fashion fits Thirlwall’s persona: designers, stylists and influences

Thirlwall described fashion as a confidence tool. She said a loud look helps her put on a pop-star persona and that "If I wore something really safe and 'normal', I would be more nervous. " She credited her stylists Zach and Jamie for collaborating on her image as a solo artist, saying that stepping out alone opened doors to designers after a girl-group era when loans could be complicated. She recalled being nervous at her first Off-White show but finding people welcoming. Thirlwall listed influences including Diana Ross, Dennis Rodman and Gwen Stefani, and mentioned musical theatre as a reference; a sentence about references from "Caba" in the context was incomplete and is unclear in the provided context.

Rosalía, Sian Welby, Marmalade and other red-carpet moments

Spanish singer Rosalia, described as 33 years old in the coverage, drew attention for a strapless feathered gown that showed off her toned midriff and was said to have "appeared to have a vicious fight with swans" en route to the awards. RuPaul's Drag Queen Marmalade commanded notice in an extravagant silver tasseled dress topped by a bizarre headpiece of sequined branches. Host Sian Welby, described as 39 and one of the first stars on the carpet, wore an autumnal rust-coloured mini dress with a strapless corset bodice and ruffled skirt, accessorised with platform champagne-coloured heels and a chunky pearl necklace for a leggy display. Former Love Island star and influencer Molly Marsh was also listed among the worst-dressed names mentioned in the roundup.