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Sombr Wore Three Valentino Looks For The 2026 Grammy Awards

Posted by Catherine Kallon

Sombr may have lost out to Olivia Dean in the Best New Artist category at the 2026 Grammys, but he still gave us plenty to talk about with two looks: one for the red carpet and one for his performance of 12 to 12.

Sequins, Lace, and Romantic Drama

There are some creative directors where it is clear they have favourites, but that has never been the case with Alessandro Michele. His custom work tends to be deeply personal to the wearer, and these looks were no exception.

For the red carpet, Sombr wore a custom Valentino suit shimmering with silver and red sequins, layered over an antique-style lace top with a keyhole opening. The look felt romantic and slightly decadent, recalling the languid glamour of ‘70s rock aristocracy, where softness and drama were never mutually exclusive. It was theatrical without feeling costume-driven, and refreshingly unafraid of ornament at an event where we don’t want caution.

Glam Rock Dialled Up

If you thought Michele had already peaked with the red carpet, the custom Valentino performance look for Sombr pushed things even further.

The mirrored sequin and rhinestone embroidered cropped jacket paired with flared trousers delivered full glam rock fantasy, catching the light like a disco ball with every movement.

This was one of my favourite performance looks of the night, not just because of the sparkle, but because it understood the moment. It was bold, expressive, and perfectly attuned to the drama of the stage. An archival John Hardy Legends Naga silver oval pendant completed his look.

Finale

With Sombr’s third Valentino look of the night, the energy shifted sharply. After the high-shine sequins and stage-ready drama earlier on, this leather ensemble felt darker. It read less about spectacle and more about mood, which makes sense for a Grammy after-party, where the performance is done and the image becomes more personal. The fitted leather jacket with ornate buttons and lace detailing kept a sense of romanticism, but the overall effect was tougher.

Stylist: Brandon Tan.

Posted by Catherine Kallon | December 8, 2025

Spilt Milk 2025 in Perth delivered a sensory overload of sound, sweat and summer energy on Saturday as Sombr stepped on stage. His set leaned into the emotional core of his catalogue, moving through fan favourites like Static Hearts, Midnight Mercy, and Blue Room Ghosts.

His look spoke directly to the Alessandro Michele era of Valentino — romantic, expressive, and slightly eccentric. He wore a Valentino Fall 2025 ensemble anchored by a sheer, red, crystal-embroidered top paired with flared trousers. The look carried clear echoes of ’70s glam and ’80s art-pop, with its mix of transparency, embellishment and fluid tailoring — theatrical, but rooted in nostalgia.

What’s been most compelling about Sombr’s fashion trajectory this year is how consistent his point of view has become. He gravitates toward looks that feel intimate, slightly nostalgic, and quietly emotive, which makes this aesthetic feel fully aligned with his on-stage identity.

The animal print Christian Louboutin Ziggissimo Forever ankle boots injected a sly note of attitude beneath the romance.