We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
.jpg)
Jorja Smith’s Brits Performance Dress Will Be Up For Grabs At The Vogue Vintage Sale
As a co-host of the Vogue Vintage Sale, it was only right that a piece of Jorja Smith’s wardrobe should feature in the edit of pre-loved items up for grabs on 29 March. The singer chose to donate her Brits performance dress by 16Arlington, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to Smart Works, a charity that helps unemployed women find work. Below, revisit the story behind the singer’s trio of looks for this month’s awards ceremony, styled by British Vogue’s head of editorial content, Chioma Nnadi.
For the 2025 Brit Awards, Jorja Smith – nominated in the best R&B category – dressed for success. Just as gong-worthy as the star’s electrifying performance at the awards, though, were the “triple threat” of show-stopping looks by London label 16Arlington.
Credit for these, however, can’t be put down to Smith alone. After all, a crucial player in bringing them about is a person at the heart of the British Vogue family – Chioma Nnadi, this magazine’s head of editorial content. “I didn’t actually think she’d say yes when I asked her to style me for the Brits,” the singer laughs, “so I actually couldn’t believe it when she did. I just love how into music she is and how she’s able to weave that into fashion. And she has an amazing eye.”
Read more: The Best-Dressed Stars At The 2025 Brit Awards
Having met recently at a show Smith gave at legendary London jazz venue Ronnie Scott’s, the pair quickly struck up a friendship. “We chatted for a bit and she was just lovely – and so chic!” the singer says. “I really adore her sense of style, it’s so effortlessly beautiful.”
“I’m such a huge fan of Jorja’s,” Nnadi reciprocates, “so, while I don’t proclaim to be a stylist, when she asked, I knew I couldn’t say no! She’s really in a space of fashion play at the moment – she’s game for anything and is so trusting and genuinely excited, so I wanted to lean into that; to make her feel and look good, and super comfortable, but like a star at the same time.”
With the assistance of British Vogue’s fashion editor Eniola Dare and fashion assistant Lois Adeoshun, that objective was well-achieved. For the red carpet, Nnadi and Smith settled on a form-fitting custom 16Arlington dress, featuring a transparent latex overlay on electric blue feathers, styled with a pair of slouchy leather heeled boots. The performance saw the “Little Things” singer dramatically cinched into a voluminous black leather trench, which she later shed for the after-party, rocking up in a svelte LBD.
On the beauty front, Smith demonstrated no less aplomb, sporting a glamorous up-do with boho braids, finished with Tresemmé Lamellar Shine Ultra Gloss Spray. “It’s actually a look I’ve never done before, but Danielle [Igor, Smith’s hairstylist] and I just wanted to do something different,” she says, “and by using the spray, even the ends that are left out (which is real hair), can still have that extra shine, which is chef’s kiss.”
“It’s also amazing to be wearing 16Arlington,” she continues, “because I’ve known Marco for years now. He actually styled me for the Brits previously, so this a really beautiful moment to be wearing them again.” “We were also thinking of this as an opportunity to lift up London’s independent names,” Nnadi adds. “Jorja has such an incredible profile, and coming out of London Fashion Week, it’s so apparent how valued this sort of support is.”
Below, we get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the story of how Jorja Smith’s incredible suite of Brits 2025 looks came to life.
Lesia Alexander1/1416Arlington’s Marco Capaldo helping Jorja Smith into her Brits dress.
Lesia Alexander2/14Smith and Vogue’s Chioma Nnadi settled on a form-fitting custom 16Arlington dress for the red carpet.
Lesia Alexander3/14Having a look in the mirror.
Lesia Alexander4/14The dress features a transparent latex overlay on electric blue feathers, which Nnadi styled with a pair of slouchy leather heeled boots.
