The BRIT Awards has announced that British designer Matthew Williamson is the creative mind behind the 2026 trophy. The commission marks both a personal milestone for the designer and a historic shift for the ceremony.
Next year’s event will take place at Manchester’s Co-op Live on 28th February, the first time the music industry’s biggest night has been staged outside London.
Born and raised in Manchester, Williamson approached the project with a desire to create something closely connected to the city’s culture and identity. The resulting trophy is an amber-toned resin sculpture set on top of a globe. Its warm honey colour draws inspiration from Manchester’s famous worker bee symbol, long associated with graft and resilience. The globe beneath it reflects the worldwide influence of British music.
“It’s an honour and a career highlight to design the 2026 BRITs trophy,” Williamson says. “The BRITs is an event I’ve watched since childhood. I wanted to create something timeless and personal, and ensure it connected to Manchester, the BRITs’ new location and my hometown.”
Williamson has spent three decades shaping a career known for bold patterning, vibrant colour and a distinctive blend of fashion and interiors. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s and has collaborated with brands including Bulgari, H&M, Swarovski and Emilio Pucci, where he served as Creative Director.
In recent years, he has shifted his focus to interiors. His work includes bestselling wallpaper and fabric collections with Osborne & Little, designing spaces for Blakes Hotel and Belmond La Residencia, and launching collaborations with Pooky, Ruggable and Dusty Deco. His 2023 book Living Bright captured his design philosophy, and in 2024 he was named Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year.
Although known for expressive, colourful design, Williamson chose a more understated and symbolic approach for the trophy. “Whilst colour and pattern may have been a more predictable route for me, I wanted to pause and offer something truly personal,” he explains. “The statue resembles the golden honey of a worker bee. This spirit to work hard and be part of the essential fabric of the nation still resonates with me today.”
He adds that the globe is a nod to the international footprint of British music. “I imagine each deserving winner will feel on top of the world as they receive their award.”
The 2026 trophy continues the BRITs tradition of inviting leading creatives to reinterpret the iconic statue. Williamson joins a distinguished list that includes Gabriel Moses, Rachel Jones, Slawn, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Sir Peter Blake, Tracey Emin, Dame Zaha Hadid, Sir David Adjaye, Es Devlin and Yinka Ilori.
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, says Williamson’s vision feels perfectly matched to the ceremony’s new chapter.
“The BRITs move to Manchester has enabled us to think about how we do things in a brilliant and different way, so I am delighted that Matthew accepted the invitation to design the award for next year’s show,” she says. “As a creative from Manchester, he has brought a unique perspective to the design process. The concept is simple, sophisticated and striking, and embodies the spirit and values of the city.”
Tang adds, “We could not be more pleased with what he has created and to have him be part of such a historic show in BRITs history.”
