Dua Lipa’s career might have been punctuated by chameleon-like fashion turns, but for the Brit Awards 2021, the pop behemoth had a singular focus: to celebrate true Britishness. The performer, who was nominated in three categories and took home two statuettes, teamed up with Vivienne Westwood to create two directional looks, with UK tradition and nostalgia at their core.

Kicking off the night in a custom corseted couture mini dress with a draped asymmetric train in saffron silk, purple faux croc ghillie platforms and a three-row pearl choker, Dua looked every inch the Westwood woman: polished, yet punkish; refined, with just a hint of riotous

Onwards to the O2 stage, where Dua performed wearing a double-breasted check coat over a custom hand-painted Union Jack jacket with chain detailing. Peeling back her outerwear to reveal a matching mini kilt and a classic Westwood corset created from surplus couture archive fabric, the singer completed the bespoke look with a classic shirt and a vintage Westwood pinstripe tie, plus patent black animal-toe shoes. The multi-layered get-up sang of Brit Awards gone by (Ginger Spice, we’re looking at you), while celebrating the creativity of one of the country’s brightest voices who has always gone her own way.

For creative director Andreas Kronthaler’s part, he told British Vogue: “The sun is rising after the lockdown, a yellow dress is the perfect choice. [And of the second look], the Brit Awards celebrates all that is British, we want to celebrate the NHS and fly their flag.” He thanked Dua for the special collaboration, which is the first time he and Westwood have outfitted the “Physical” singer.

Dua’s retro-tinged Brits looks are aeons away from her previous red-carpet wear. Her new deconstructed red-carpet dress and subversive tailoring show how far she has come as a trailblazer – one who’s wise to team up with a revolutionary house to help her tread a more interesting path than her peers.