Inflated egos are not uncommon at award ceremonies such as the Brits but inflated trousers are a newcomer to proceedings.
Sam Smith debuted the look on the red carpet at the music awards at the O2 arena in London on Saturday night in what is being seen as a fashion riposte to recent body shaming of the singer.
The work of London-based India-born designer Harri, the black latex zip-up outfit featured inflated shoulders and thighs which created a heart-shaped effect on the lower half.
The singer completed the outfit with a pair of black high-heeled boots, gloves and a pearl earring.
“Sam was having a lot of hate comments recently about their body image”, Harri, real name Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai, told Women’s Wear Daily, “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.”
The outfit was met with a mixed response on social media with some praising them saying: “Sam Smith is marvellous and they can wear whatever the hell they want.”
Others were less enamoured: “Sam Smith has finally made Billy Connolly’s Incontinence Pants sketch a reality,” wrote one, adding, “I’ve waited 38 years for this to happen.”
Smith, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, has been the focus of criticism about their weight and body shape.
Music videos for tracks including “Unholy” and “I’m Not Here to Make Friends” from their number one album Gloria have triggered a barrage of comments online about the star’s choice of outfits and figure.
Smith has said they were now “happier in my own skin” adding they now have the opposite of body dysmorphia.
“My mum says that, as I’ve got older, I’ve stopped caring what people think as much. She tends to be right,” they told the Sunday Times.
The 30-year-old’s outfit for the Brit Awards was custom-made for them, but designer Harri launched a collection of inflated latex balloon trousers last September in his spring/summer collection at London Fashion Week.
The idea came much earlier, when he was putting together his collection as a graduate of the London College of fashion pre-pandemic.
The inspiration, he said, came from a funny thought about his dog’s perspective of him as – a giant figure with big legs and small head.
Now those keen to replicate Sam Smith’s red carpet look can acquire Harri’s black latex inflatable trousers for £4,000 from the online store APOC.
Made to order from vegan latex, they come with specific instructions for wear and care. The trousers should be kept away from heat, daylight and metals and avoid contact with all oils.
Regular use of latex polish and a cold hand wash is recommended to keep them pristine. Before donning the designer legwear, the wearer should ensure “the use of talcum powder inside”.
And crucially, those sporting such slacks should never “overinflate”.
