Leon Thomas’s 2026 Grammy look was denim couture

Leon Thomas took the 2026 Grammy stage as the most-nominated R&B singer of the evening. His sophomore album Mutt racked up six nominations and by the end of the ceremony, he brought home two trophies: one for Best R&B Album and another for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his track “Vibes Don’t Lie.”

Naturally, Thomas came dressed to impress for his big Grammys night, wearing two custom outfits designed by Gap Inc.’s Executive Vice President and Creative Director, Zac Posen.

Thomas’s custom ensembles—a sleek black suit and an indigo denim set—were crafted with intention. “[Leon] and his music inspire me,” Posen tells The FADER. “[His outfits] cut through to something that feels authentic to him—it’s grounded and sophisticated, but still pop culture.”

Posen’s go-to anthem throughout the design process? Thomas’s “Treasure In The Hills.”

“He has structure and soul in his music,” he says. “I like that balance. It’s rich and emotional, and I love that he’s bringing that sophistication to a wider audience. He’s such a cool cat.”

With a goal of “structural and soft, with a little bit of restraint” in mind, the singer-songwriter kicked off the night on the red carpet with a double-breasted, oversized suit crafted with black gabardine and satin lapels. Styled by Ugo Mozie, he completed the look with silver accessories, including a diamond-studded brooch and a leather cap.

“All the detailing on it is Gap codes, from the double needle stitch on the denim to the utility techniques like the industrial pockets,” Posen says, referring to Gap’s signature details.

During his live performance of “Mutt,” Thomas opted for head-to-toe denim: specifically, a raw, deconstructed denim set with sculpted shoulders, epaulets, an asymmetrical closure, and shank-metal Gap buttons. When creating this look, Posen kept things instinctive; denim felt like the right move for Thomas, and it was crucial to allow the performance, materials, and movement to take center stage.

“We took our two Gap denim jackets, chopped them up, and couture upcycled them into a double full-breasted, almost cadet-like construction of the jacket. It has a regal quality to it, but it’s all in denim, and that’s a core fabric of Gap,” Posen says before connecting his design process to Thomas’s sample-heavy music. “We have this ability to be a mix between Edward Scissorhands and Cinderella with the animals—we repurposed something that had already existed, like his music.”

Accepting the award for Best R&B Album, Thomas thanked his family and everyone who helped him achieve the career-defining moment. “Live R&B and live music are worth it,” he said on stage. “I’m gonna keep going.”