News And Projects
Sam Smith – ‘Gloria: The Blackout’ Collaboration
17/03/2024 — Vivienne Westwood
“When I think of British Fashion it has always been synonymous with the name Vivienne Westwood”
– Sam Smith
Sam Smith is one of the most celebrated musical artists to emerge in recent history, having received a series of successes, counting multi-Platinum, GRAMMY®, BRIT, Golden Globe and Academy Award acknowledgments. In light of their 'GLORIA: The Blackout' live shows in 2024, the house has collaborated with the British singer/songwriter, with custom looks by creative director, Andreas Kronthaler. Echoing the ‘blackout’ theme, Sam’s bespoke Vivienne Westwood wardrobe was presented in shades and textures of black throughout. For the opening look, Sam appeared on stage in a double duchesse trench coat, which was removed to reveal a double-breasted cropped designer jacket with braided epaulettes and aiguillettes, worn with tailored sailor trousers, and beneath a shimmering wrestling singlet with ‘A&V’ embroidery. The look was complete with chauffeur gloves and seditionary inspired buckle boots, with a Stephen Jones sailor’s cap.
The second look saw Sam appear in a voluminous gown in layers of black tulle, constructed on a corset and worn with shimmering cycling shorts. The look was paired with a Stephen Jones crown, spiral lace-up gloves in patent leather and heeled leather boots. For the next sequence, Sam’s look changed gear to a classic Vivienne Westwood draped sweatshirt and matching sweatpants with power mesh inserts, paired with black military boots. Completing the quartet of custom looks was an ensemble in a cascade of black feathers, featuring a cropped waistcoat, with exaggerated shoulders and skirt. Underneath, Sam wore a long corset in silk satin over a lace singlet with suspender detail and lace-up jockstrap. A signature Vivienne Westwood orb motif cane, lace opera gloves with appliqued nails, Gaia boots and Stephen Jones horn motif top hat completed the finale look.
A decade on from Sam's release of the award-winning multi-platinum selling debut album, the live tour marked a year-long celebration for the ten-year anniversary of ‘In the Lonely Hour’. Travelling across South America and Europe with a 24-date live plan on stages across the globe. To quote Andreas on the collaboration, “It’s been a great experience for me and everybody at Westwood to get to know Sam and to make the looks for the Blackout shows …. Sam has such good energy, and I am so pleased above all to have become a friend … Wishing them a fantastic start in South America”