SA designer Cristina Tridente gives Sam Smith a custom-made Gloria cape – before a chance Macca’s run-in

It started with a dream of giving Sam Smith a custom-made cape to celebrate their SA trip and new album – and ended in a chance meeting at Macca’s. 

British superstar Sam Smith will take memories of Adelaide through their entire Australian tour, thanks to a local couture designer and a chance encounter in a Macca’s carpark.

Adelaide fashion house couture+love+madness created a custom cape for Smith to wear as the Gloria tour kicks off later this year, which she gave to the SA Tourism Commission to pass on to the star.

Head designer Cristina Tridente, a fan of Smith’s since their first album In the Lonely Hour who travelled around the country to see them, said designing the piece was “special”.

Wanting to know if Smith received the custom design, Ms Tridente took her chance after their intimate gig at the d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale on Wednesday, waiting patiently to sneak a quick chat with the star.

And it wasn’t even her first meeting with the superstar that night.

Ms Tridente’s couture cape for Smith, featuring hand-embroidered symbols from their new album Gloria. Picture: Meaghan Coles

“I managed to win tickets on the radio to attend the concert but secretly hoped there would be a chance to meet them,” she said.

Video captured the moment Smith embraced Ms Tridente after the McLaren Vale show, thanking her for her designer creation.

“Oh my gosh – I adored it. I was going to message you tomorrow and say thank you,” Smith told Ms Tridente.

“The cape is incredible, it’s sensational – you’re so talented.”

Adelaide designer Cristina Tridente outside the d’Arenberg Cube, wearing her custom-made Gloria top for their show. Picture: Supplied

Tridente managed to sneak a selfie with the British star in the Maccas carpark. Picture: Supplied

The couture cape has tiers of spotted tulle with gold, hand-embroidered symbols from Smith’s new album Gloria.

“It was so exciting to be able to create this piece for Sam, it will forever hold a special place in my heart,” Ms Tridente said.

“Sam has gone through such a big transition in terms of life, style and music and I wanted something that would really capture that.”

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But as fate would have it, she met Smith not once – but twice in the same day, when she went on a cheeseburger run that night to Melrose Park McDonald’s.

Still in her custom-made ‘Gloria’ top she wore to Smith’s show at the d’Arenberg Cube, she found them dancing and drinking South Australian wine in the carpark

Although the ‘G’ had been lost in the excitement of the show, Ms Tridente still made her way to Smith’s Instagram page – and 14.6 million followers.

“Sam said they loved the piece (the cape) and would be taking it on tour with them,” she said.

“They were just so lovely and humble, they kept hugging me and telling me how talented I was. It’s by far one of my career highlights and it meant so much to me on a personal level.”

Cristina Tridente's custom 'Gloria' top – minus a G – made its way to Smith's Instagram page. Picture: Instagram/@samsmith

Smith popped in for a post-show Macca's run. Picture: Instagram/@samsmith

The British singer’s exclusive event at McLaren Vale was their only Australian show on a promotional trip Down Under.

Among the crowd at the 300-person show were some of the nation’s most well-known faces in television and radio, alongside lucky fans.

Smith said during the concert they were eager to explore more of the state following the visit.

“I honestly didn’t know Adelaide is so beautiful. It’s like Italy,” they said. “I never knew this existed beyond the city.

“It’s incredibly beautiful and I can’t wait to come back … and get sunburnt, and eat the beautiful food.”

Smith has been sampling some of South Australia’s best tourism experiences over the past few days – testing wines at Gemtree Wines on the Fleurieu Peninsula, visiting one of Port Willunga’s finest restaurants and, of course, cuddling a koala at Cleland Wildlife Park.

Smith went for a dip at Port Willunga after a meal at Star of Greece. Picture: Instagram/@samsmith

Smith pictured with a koala at Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills. Picture: Instagram

Star of Greece owner Nikki Govan said Smith was a “beautiful soul” and one of the kindest celebrities she had hosted.

In a true show of SA hospitality, Ms Govan even popped home to pick up a cabana and towels so Smith could enjoy the pristine Port Willunga waters.

“Sam was one of the most pleasant, humble and engaging international stars I have had the pleasure to meet and host,” Ms Govan said.

“Their entire team were just incredibly kind, grateful, lovely people – Sam even asked for a photo with Rhi, our waitress who looked after their table.”