It was a night to celebrate the best in UK music, but the 2023 Brits was shrouded in controversy. After adopting gender-neutral categories last year, the artist of the year award included only male nominees, failing to acknowledge any women artists. Harry Styles, who won the award on 11 Feb. along with a further three, took the opportunity to acknowledge his privilege and even went on to dedicate the award to the snubbed nominees. “So this award is for Rina [Sawayama], Charli [XCX], Florence [Welch], Mabel [Hill], and Becky [Hill]. Thank you so much!” he said in his acceptance speech.
As the evening continued at a series of afterparties around London, Charli XCX took the opportunity to show exactly how she felt about being left off the list. The singer, who wore a super sheer Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown with Swarovski jewellery on the Brits red carpet, changed into a black patent miniskirt, heeled ankle boots, and a cropped white tshirt with “Real Winner” written across the chest. She then draped a yellow fluffy coat over the top to attend the Warner Records afterparty at the NoMad hotel.
“I don’t think it’s our fault. I think it might be theirs.”
While Charli posted a carousel of snaps from the night on her Instagram, she didn’t directly address the meaning of her tshirt, simply captioning the post with “i just came to have fun”, but it can be assumed the “Hot In It” singer was making a (necessary) point to the Brits panel. Earlier in the evening, she was asked by the BBC about being nominated in the best pop/r&b category, but not for artist of the year. “Great question. I’ve heard a lot of chat about the fact there weren’t enough females in album cycle and that’s why no one was nominated,” she said. “But, I was in album cycle and I had a Number One album [with “Crash”].” She added, “There’s many of us, so I don’t know. You should ask them. We’re doing everything right. I don’t think it’s our fault. I think it might be theirs.”
The Brits red carpet was full of surprises, from Sam Smith’s inflatable jumpsuit to Jessie J’s bump, but celebrities were out in force until the early hours of the morning with a number of outfit changes in tow. Everyone knows the real celebrations kick off after the award show itself as record labels compete with having the best afterparties in the capital. Maya Jama even threw her own party on a boat along the Thames before heading to host “Love Island: Aftersun” just hours later. Now, that’s dedication! From Lizzo’s leopard print minidress to Jodie Turner-Smith’s cutout head-turner, see all the best afterparty looks ahead.
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Charli XCX at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Charli XCX used her outfit to hit back at the Brit Awards for omitting women artists from the artist of the year nominations as she attended the Warner Records afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
Getty / Neil Mockford / Ricky Vigil M
Lizzo and Myke Wright at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Lizzo changed from her Robert Wun structural gown on the red carpet, into a pink Act N°1 dress with huge fluffy pink collar for her Brits performance, and then finally chose a leopard print minidress with oversized bow teamed with buckled platform heels for the Warner Records afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb. as she partied with her boyfriend.
Getty / Kate Green
Maya Jama at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Fresh from presenting the Brits red carpet, Jama was off to host her own Brits afterparty on the River Thames with Coca-Cola on Saturday, 11 Feb. Wearing a glistening Georges Hobeika gown, complete with thigh-high slit and cutout waist, the look was covered in crystals to ensure she shone like a discoball.
Getty / David M. Benett
Jodie Turner-Smith at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Jodie Turner-Smith was one of out favourite looks on the red carpet and she killed the afterparty attire, too! Wearing a David Koma minidress with crystal mesh sleeves and strategic cutouts, she added thigh-high boots for the Warner Records afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Jodie Turner-Smith and Lucien Laviscount at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Turner-Smith bumped into “Emily in Paris” star Lucien Laviscount at the Warner Records afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb. He had rocked up to the red carpet earlier in the evening with costar Camille Razat.
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Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Tom Daley and husband Dustin Lance Black opted for tonal couple dressing in pink and lilac ensembles at the Universal Music afterparty 2023 at 180 The Strand on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Leigh-Anne Pinnock at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Looking every inch pop royalty with her intricate hair crown, Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock changed from an orange gown into an appliqué bra top teamed with a geo-print maxi skirt with centre split for the Manny Norté X BACARDÍ Rum Mafterparty at The Londoner Hotel on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Dami Hope and Indiyah Polack at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
“Love Island” couple Dami Hope and Indiyah Polack looked super cool in double denim and a pink knitted minidress at the Manny Norté X BACARDÍ Rum afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Shania Twain at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Shania Twain rocked her signature leopard print in a satin shirt and flared trousers at the Universal Music afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Vick Hope at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Newly engaged Vick Hope continued to show her fashion prowess by wearing a chic LBD with crystal embellishments at the Sony Music afterparty at the Nobu Hotel on Saturday, 11 Feb.
Getty / David M. Benett
Mabel at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Mabel chose a striped oversized suit with a bra underneath for the Manny Norté X BACARDÍ Rum afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Clara Amfo at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Clara Amfo left her stint presenting the red carpet to attend the Sony Music afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb. wearing a joyful yellow studded minidress.
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Flo at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Brits Rising Star Award winners Flo went hell for leather in cutout coloured outfits and knee-high boots at the Manny Norté X BACARDÍ Rum afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Ellie Goulding at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Showcasing her new darker hair, Ellie Goulding opted for a black and green dress with middle cutout section at the Sony Music afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Ashley Roberts at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Jumping on the naked dress trend, Ashley Roberts wore a sheer dress with asymmetric hemline at the Universal Music afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
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Becky Hill at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Brit winner Becky Hill swapped her Michael Kors red carpet gown for a feathered black minidress at the Universal Music afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
Getty / David M. Benett
Myleene Klass at 2023 Brits Afterparty
TV star Myleene Klass has long been a fan of leopart print, so this sheer dress was perfect for her to wear to the Universal Music afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
Getty / Shane Anthony Sinclair
Cat Burns at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Brit performer Cat Burns arrived at the Sony Music afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb. in an uber cool leather biker jacket.
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Sophie Ellis-Bextor at the 2023 Brits Afterparty
Sophie Ellis-Bextor clashed a green sequin dress with pink Mary Jane shoes and clutch bag for the Universal Music afterparty on Saturday, 11 Feb.
