Sam Smith was not messing around when they rocked up to the 2023 BRIT Awards in a head-to-toe inflatable latex number.
The Unholy singer’s outfit featured a broad silhouette with puffed pectorals, inflated peaked shoulders and legs that ballooned so wide they resembled two love-hearts.
The latex extended all the way to Smith’s gloves and the inflated ‘pant’ legs appeared to connect to their shiny black block heels.
According to Yahoo!, the striking outfit was designed by Hari Krishnan, a London-based designer. While it may not have been clear at first, there is a purpose behind the unusual shape.
Krishnan told WWD that the outfit was designed as a clap back to trolls who have been commenting on Smith’s body.
“Sam was having a lot of hate comments recently after ‘Unholy’ about [their] body image,” he explained. “This is my take on celebrating [their] natural form and the beauty of being one’s self.
“I wanted to create an image which people have never seen Sam in.”
Krishnan is referencing the large-scale criticism the singer has faced for their body. A prime example is the ridicule they faced for wearing a silver jumpsuit to the Jingle Bell Ball in 2022, while singer Harry Styles wore a very similar outfit to no such ire.
Smith has been open about their experience with body dysmorphia, telling The Sunday Times: “I’m happier in my own skin on Gloria.”
“I feel liberated, released from pressures I felt when I was young… My mum says that, as I’ve got older, I’ve stopped caring what people think as much. She tends to be right.”
Huge props to Smith for continuing to be themself and to step into their power despite what naysayers on the internet have to input.
With the latex covering most of their body, Smith kept the hair and makeup minimal, adding one pearl drop earring and one metal stud to accessorise the outfit.
Smith absolutely nailed the aesthetic, however videos of them trying to walk in the theatrical pants showed that it is as difficult as you’d think to move around in an inflatable outfit.
The look doesn’t come cheap either. A very similar design to Smiths’ pants, the Harri ‘Double-Handled Vase Trousers’ retail for a whopping 4,000 pounds (AUD $6972 approximately).
Hari describes his designs as “reflecting contrasts and larger-than-life proportions” and he uses a range of textures from wood to latex.
The designer appears to be aware that the look is a little on the bizarre side, captioning a photo of Smith at the BRITs with: “What would you name this look? #michelinman”.
