Following the Golden Globes in January and before the much anticipated Oscars next month in LA, awards season is in full swing and it is not only the stars of film and television who are being honoured as Tuesday night saw musics finest grace the red carpet at the O2 Arena in London for the annual Brit Awards. If there is one thing that music history has taught us it is that The Brits can always be relied upon to deliver memorable moments that will be talked about for many years to come. Who can forget Robbie Williams squaring up to Liam Gallagher or Jarvis Cocker storming the stage during Michael Jackson’s performance of Earth Song back in 1996? It is acknowledged worldwide that the 1990’s, or the Brit Pop Era, was a golden time for British pop music and The Brits have spent much of the last decade trying to regain some of its former glory. We're not sure whether we think the awards themselves were quite as memorable as they have been in decades gone by but there were certainly a few fashion triumphs on display on the red carpet with stars from The UK and The US showcasing some stunning designs and some gorgeous dressmaking fabrics. Most of our favourite outfits this year came from our home grown stars. Pop star Pixie Lott was channelling the 90's herself in an elegant backless white dress. There are a number of different dressmaking fabrics you could use to recreate this classic style including Microfibre; this is a classic dressmaking fabric which is especially popular for its beautiful drape, Microfibre is the ideal choice for avoiding Pixie's almost wardrobe malfunction as it is not an overly clingy dressmaking fabric and due to its excellent weight will not be see through. Radio One presenter Fearne Cotton rocked the skater dress trend in a cute silver piece which was gorgeous against her ice cool porcelain complexion. The skater dress is a very versatile trend which can be achieved using a number of dressmaking fabrics for a variety of functions, in keeping with the fun and slightly risqué reputation of The Brits, Fearne opted for a metallic silver dressmaking fabric with a sheer overlay and sleeves. If you are feeling daring, our paper lame dressmaking fabrics are stylish and glitzy but for a more casual event a more understated dressmaking fabric such as a Memphis Bi-Stretch is perfect for a smart look which will easily translate from daytime to evening.
The Brit Award for most daring outfit this year has to go to Aussie Pop Princess, Kylie Minogue. Kylie looked incredible and showed off her unique flair for fashion in a latex William Wilde creation with a huge bow. With Kylie's incredible figure she can carry off any style in any choice of dressmaking fabric and for those who love to stand out in a crowd you can follow Kylie's example by using our range of PVC fabrics or for a more wearable look choose our Faux Leather dressmaking fabrics which is perfect for fashionable dresses, trousers and accessories and is designed to mimic the look of real leather. Kylie's little sister Dannii looked just as stylish in a more understated outfit with an asymmetric hemline and a cinched in waist which made the most of her hourglass shape.
The Brits are one of the most watched awards shows of the year and have given us some of the most memorable moments not just in pop culture but in fashion. Here is our countdown of the top 5 most iconic Brits dresses of all time:
5. Destiny's Child - 2001
[caption id="attachment_6423" align="alignright" width="300"]
Destiny's Child in costumes designed by Tina Knowles.[/caption]
Beyonce and her band mates were at the peak of their incredibly successful career when they stormed onto the stage at the 2001 awards for a fiery performance of their smash hit single, Independent Women. From the popular film remake of Charlie's Angels, this was their first massive radio hit in the UK and the pyrotechnically enhanced performance was set off by the skimpy gold two piece costumes designed by Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles. Tina started her dressmaking career by designing stage costumes for her daughter and her friends and is now the head of hugely successful fashion house, House of Dereon. Tina's innovative use of dressmaking fabrics set Destiny's Child apart from many other all girl groups of the time and set the wheels in motion in setting Beyonce up for a future as a world famous style icon whose look is emulated not just by young girls the world over but by other stars and fashion designers who are desperate to capture some of Destiny's Child's star quality.
4. Adele - 2012
[caption id="attachment_6424" align="alignright" width="94"]
Adele looked classy in a Burberry gown in 2012.[/caption]
Adele's performance of Somebody Like You at the 2012 show has gone down in history as one of the greatest vocal performances ever at The Brits. Dressed in an elegant long black Burberry gown sheer sleeves and paired with breathtaking DeBeers diamonds Adele stole the show in every way. A black dress is the ideal wardrobe choice for almost any formal event, to achieve Adele's classic style opt for a dressmaking fabric such as Microfibre which is a perfect choice for elegant outfits due to its stunning drape, and pair with sheer panels made with a Chiffon dressmaking fabric for your Adele inspired sheer panels and sleeves.
3. Kylie Minogue - 2003
[caption id="attachment_6426" align="alignleft" width="149"]
Kylie Minogue's iconic Julien MacDonald dress.[/caption]
Clad in a risky mini dress which clung to every inch of her famous figure Kylie Minogue provided one of the most talked about moments of the 2003 ceremony when she performed a cheeky duet with US superstar Justin Timberlake. Kylie's iconic micro mini dress actually started life as a floor length evening gown by Julien MacDonald. The fashion designer admits he was reluctant to lend the gown to Kylie as he had already agreed to sell it for a breathtaking sum the next day however, Kylie convinced him and Julien was initially horrified when he tuned into the show to see his Swarovski encrusted pride and joy slashed to thigh length! Luckily for Julien, the dress went down a storm and has become one of his most lauded creations. For those who are wanting a more risky design of dress to really show of your shape our clingy dressmaking fabrics such as Lycra Jersey are perfect for making easy to wear dresses and outfits which are flattering and comfortable with excellent ease of movement making them perfect for dancing the night away.
2. Amy Winehouse - 2008
[caption id="attachment_6427" align="alignright" width="128"]
The late Amy Winehouse in a fashionable print mash up at the 2008 Brits.[/caption]
The late Amy Winehouse is not only remembered for her off-stage antics but of course for her incredible talent and unique fashion sense. At the 2008 awards, Amy performed her most successful single, Valerie with Mark Ronson clad in a daring mash up of dressmaking fabrics which really should never have worked and probably would not have done on anybody else. Wearing a leopard print skirt and tartan bustier with a wide, waist cinching belt Amy carried this look off to perfection. A mash up of dressmaking fabrics can work really well for someone who has the right look and is comfortable and confident enough to carry it off and with Amy's vintage inspired image she looked fabulously chic for what was to be one of her most flawless and fondly remembered performances before her untimely death in 2011.
Geri Halliwell - 1997
[caption id="attachment_6433" align="alignleft" width="180"]
The famous Union Jack Dress is one of the most iconic items of pop memorabilia in music history.[/caption]
Without a doubt, The Spice Girls are one of the most famous and phenomenally successful British pop groups of all time and were riding high at the top of the charts in 1997 when they burst onto the Brits stage for their iconic performance of some of Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are? The Spice Girls swept the board that night taking home the awards for Best British Single and Best British Video. Geri's famous dress was something of a fluke starting life as a plain black Gucci mini dress, in true Ginger Spice style Geri felt the dress was too "boring" and set about putting her own stamp on things. Geri asked her fashion designer sister to customise the dress, not by using the usual dressmaking fabrics, but by stitching a patriotic Union Jack tea towel to its front. The patriotic gesture went down a storm and the dress now widely known just as "The Union Jack Dress" became instantly iconic and has since become synonymous with Girl Power and the Cool Britannia era of the 1990's. Geri's dress became so iconic that it has even beaten the wedding dress of Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe's Seven Year Itch Dress to be voted the most iconic dress of all time. Geri's dress not only cemented Ginger Spice and her group as one of the most celebrated groups in British pop history but it also raised a massive amount of money for a children's cancer charity when Geri auctioned it off for a massive £36,200 making this the most expensive piece of pop clothing ever to be sold at auction.
Destiny's Child in costumes designed by Tina Knowles.[/caption]
Beyonce and her band mates were at the peak of their incredibly successful career when they stormed onto the stage at the 2001 awards for a fiery performance of their smash hit single, Independent Women. From the popular film remake of Charlie's Angels, this was their first massive radio hit in the UK and the pyrotechnically enhanced performance was set off by the skimpy gold two piece costumes designed by Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles. Tina started her dressmaking career by designing stage costumes for her daughter and her friends and is now the head of hugely successful fashion house, House of Dereon. Tina's innovative use of dressmaking fabrics set Destiny's Child apart from many other all girl groups of the time and set the wheels in motion in setting Beyonce up for a future as a world famous style icon whose look is emulated not just by young girls the world over but by other stars and fashion designers who are desperate to capture some of Destiny's Child's star quality.
4. Adele - 2012
[caption id="attachment_6424" align="alignright" width="94"] Adele looked classy in a Burberry gown in 2012.[/caption]
Adele's performance of Somebody Like You at the 2012 show has gone down in history as one of the greatest vocal performances ever at The Brits. Dressed in an elegant long black Burberry gown sheer sleeves and paired with breathtaking DeBeers diamonds Adele stole the show in every way. A black dress is the ideal wardrobe choice for almost any formal event, to achieve Adele's classic style opt for a dressmaking fabric such as Microfibre which is a perfect choice for elegant outfits due to its stunning drape, and pair with sheer panels made with a Chiffon dressmaking fabric for your Adele inspired sheer panels and sleeves.
3. Kylie Minogue - 2003
[caption id="attachment_6426" align="alignleft" width="149"] Kylie Minogue's iconic Julien MacDonald dress.[/caption]
Clad in a risky mini dress which clung to every inch of her famous figure Kylie Minogue provided one of the most talked about moments of the 2003 ceremony when she performed a cheeky duet with US superstar Justin Timberlake. Kylie's iconic micro mini dress actually started life as a floor length evening gown by Julien MacDonald. The fashion designer admits he was reluctant to lend the gown to Kylie as he had already agreed to sell it for a breathtaking sum the next day however, Kylie convinced him and Julien was initially horrified when he tuned into the show to see his Swarovski encrusted pride and joy slashed to thigh length! Luckily for Julien, the dress went down a storm and has become one of his most lauded creations. For those who are wanting a more risky design of dress to really show of your shape our clingy dressmaking fabrics such as Lycra Jersey are perfect for making easy to wear dresses and outfits which are flattering and comfortable with excellent ease of movement making them perfect for dancing the night away.
2. Amy Winehouse - 2008
[caption id="attachment_6427" align="alignright" width="128"] The late Amy Winehouse in a fashionable print mash up at the 2008 Brits.[/caption]
The late Amy Winehouse is not only remembered for her off-stage antics but of course for her incredible talent and unique fashion sense. At the 2008 awards, Amy performed her most successful single, Valerie with Mark Ronson clad in a daring mash up of dressmaking fabrics which really should never have worked and probably would not have done on anybody else. Wearing a leopard print skirt and tartan bustier with a wide, waist cinching belt Amy carried this look off to perfection. A mash up of dressmaking fabrics can work really well for someone who has the right look and is comfortable and confident enough to carry it off and with Amy's vintage inspired image she looked fabulously chic for what was to be one of her most flawless and fondly remembered performances before her untimely death in 2011.
Geri Halliwell - 1997
[caption id="attachment_6433" align="alignleft" width="180"] The famous Union Jack Dress is one of the most iconic items of pop memorabilia in music history.[/caption]
Without a doubt, The Spice Girls are one of the most famous and phenomenally successful British pop groups of all time and were riding high at the top of the charts in 1997 when they burst onto the Brits stage for their iconic performance of some of Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are? The Spice Girls swept the board that night taking home the awards for Best British Single and Best British Video. Geri's famous dress was something of a fluke starting life as a plain black Gucci mini dress, in true Ginger Spice style Geri felt the dress was too "boring" and set about putting her own stamp on things. Geri asked her fashion designer sister to customise the dress, not by using the usual dressmaking fabrics, but by stitching a patriotic Union Jack tea towel to its front. The patriotic gesture went down a storm and the dress now widely known just as "The Union Jack Dress" became instantly iconic and has since become synonymous with Girl Power and the Cool Britannia era of the 1990's. Geri's dress became so iconic that it has even beaten the wedding dress of Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe's Seven Year Itch Dress to be voted the most iconic dress of all time. Geri's dress not only cemented Ginger Spice and her group as one of the most celebrated groups in British pop history but it also raised a massive amount of money for a children's cancer charity when Geri auctioned it off for a massive £36,200 making this the most expensive piece of pop clothing ever to be sold at auction.