Jade Thirlwall leads mixed reactions on BRIT Awards red carpet as fashion choices divide opinion
At the BRIT Awards red carpet in Manchester this year, jade thirlwall's bold approach to fashion drew headlines alongside a parade of looks that many viewers found more shocking than stylish. Coverage posted at 17: 49 GMT on 28 Feb 2026 and updated at 11: 57 GMT on 01 Mar 2026 highlighted a red carpet that some suggested left stars wishing they'd kept their stylists on retainer.
Jade Thirlwall on the BRIT Awards carpet
Jade Thirlwall was among the artists singled out by red-carpet commentary this year. She is a nominee for Artist of the Year and Best Pop Act, and spoke on the carpet about her outfit inspiration, saying she wanted "something practical" for the evening but also wanted to "serve c***". The comment underscored a deliberate, attention-seeking approach to dressing for the biggest night in UK music.
Worst-dressed roundup: Tallia Storm, Fleur East and others leading the list
Leading the charge of the night's worst-dressed celebrities were Tallia Storm and Fleur East. Tallia Storm, 27, stepped out in a skin-tight plunging catsuit with a cartoon-inspired print that was judged to have failed to hit the mark for the occasion. Fleur East arrived in a brown satin co-ord with dramatic white collar and sleeve detailing; observers noted parts of the dress appeared too tight for the singer, which could make sitting through the ceremony uncomfortable.
Standout looks that split opinion: Rosalia, Sian Welby and RuPaul's Drag Queen Marmalade
Spanish singer Rosalia, 33, also drew attention for a feathered, strapless gown that reviewers described as resembling a "vicious fight with swans"; the dress revealed her toned midriff as she posed. Host Sian Welby, 39, arrived early on the carpet in an autumnal rust-coloured mini dress with a strapless corset bodice and ruffled skirt, paired with platform champagne-coloured heels and a chunky pearl necklace for a leggy display. RuPaul's Drag Queen Marmalade commanded attention in a metallic tasseled dress topped by a headpiece of sequined branches that many found bizarre.
Design backstory: custom Off-White and a quick turnaround
Beyond the red-carpet reactions, jade thirlwall shared details of this year’s look: a custom Off-White outfit designed by IB Kamara and his team. The multi-layered ensemble includes a catsuit, skirt and a bomber jacket, plus boots and a matching bag in a single print. The team had about a month to create the look; they exchanged many ideas by email and landed on a modern take on a red-carpet gown built for layering. Thirlwall said she chose a multi-layered approach partly because it’s often cold outside and she could remove pieces for the after party.
Why Thirlwall says fashion is empowering
Thirlwall framed fashion as a tool for confidence and performance. She described opting for loud looks to help her adopt a pop-star persona and said that wearing something "safe and 'normal'" would make her more nervous. Working with stylists Zach and Jamie, she noted that entering a solo artist era opened new doors with designers compared with group dynamics, and that collaboration with designers like IB Kamara felt supportive. Her influences were listed as Diana Ross, Dennis Rodman, Gwen Stefani and musical theatre; references from her That's Showbiz Baby tour were noted but the context ends with an unclear fragment on one specific influence and is unclear in the provided context.
Other red carpet names and final notes
Also mentioned on the worst-dressed list was former Love Island star and influencer Molly Marsh. The overall tone from the carpet suggested a night of daring choices that split opinion: some looks were praised in past years while others this time attracted criticism. Observers suggested a few celebrities might have to rethink their stylistic choices, while designers and collaborators worked quickly behind the scenes to realise ambitious concepts for the BRITs.
Details in this article are drawn from the coverage posted at 17: 49 GMT on 28 Feb 2026 and updated at 11: 57 GMT on 01 Mar 2026. Some items in the provided context are incomplete or unclear; those specifics are noted as unclear in the provided context rather than estimated.
