Geri: I had no idea my tea towel dress would create a sensation
GERI HORNER has spoken about the Union Jack dress she wore at the 1997 Brit Awards, saying she had “no idea” it would have such an impact.
The former Spice Girl, Ginger Spice, told US Vogue about the origins of the dress and revealed that her stylist told her not to wear it over fears it would send the wrong political signal.
It was a black Tom Ford for Gucci minidress, which Horner said she wanted to customise with a Union Jack design. The singer said she didn’t want to cut up a flag, so instead used a tea towel to create the look.
“I remember this little black Gucci dress that was lent to me,” Horner said. “I’ve always tried to put my finger to the wind and feel what’s going on right now, and if I feel it then you’ll feel it and we’ll connect it. So I thought, The Brits why not a British flag?”
She added: “I don’t know if this is true, but you’re not meant to cut up a flag… so I found a tea towel. My sister did it, she was better at sewing than I am.
“When that tea towel was stitched onto that little black Gucci dress, I had no idea the reaction that was going to come. I woke up the next morning, and the picture of me in that dress was on the front page of every newspaper.
“That dress really became the identity of what girl power stood for ... Suddenly, you saw the British flag on a lot of fashion…I’ve always been, like, a secret fashion designer.”
Horner said her stylist warned her the Union Jack was associated with the fascist National Front, so decided to put a peace sign on the back of her design.
The pop star left the group two years after the iconic performance. She married Red Bull racing boss Christian Horner in 2015.