Secrets of the Stylish: Getting ready for The Fashion Awards with Olivia Dean
It’s Britain’s biggest style event, seeing some of the most prestigious names in fashion honoured for their contributions to the industry. And while taxis were hailed late at South Kensington’s Royal Albert Hall, many revellers held celebrations for The Fashion Awards well into the night.
For Olivia Dean, pop’s buzziest rising star, the party started well before her red-carpet arrival. When Bazaar caught up with the 25-year-old before ceremony, Dean joked that getting ready “is her favourite part” of any night out – when she’s got all her girls around her (Dean has an all-female management team), enjoying a glass of champagne before the main event.
Naturally, the Dive singer has full control of the pre-party playlist, with Usher’s dulcet tones often soundtracking the night as she gets ready.
Here, Dean tells us about the duality of her personal style, how she’s gaining more confidence, and why her “bashed up Jimmy Choos” are the beloved pair of heels that have got her through any pinch.
Please talk us through your look for The Fashion Awards – what drew you to this particular outfit?
“I'm so excited! I'm going with Gucci, and I'm wearing a green dress which is quite big – I don't really wear a lot of green, but it'll be fun to play with a new colour. I think it’s quite a timeless, womanly outfit, which I’ve paired with a fabulous shawl. It's a really cool look, and it felt fun to do something different.”
Why does Gucci feel like a good fit for you and your style?
“I really like how I feel in in Gucci clothes, and I've been lucky enough to do a couple things with them. As a brand, they balance being timeless with being fun. I like that their clothes aren't too serious, but also have this kind of elegance to them. I feel that suits me as a person – they have that balance.”
What’s your go-to getting ready routine?
“Let me set the scene! Normally, we’d probably get ready in a hotel room close to where we're going, because if we're wearing heels, we don't want to be travelling too far from A to B. We want to be speedy to the carpet! It’s normally me, then all my glam squad, and then my management team – all girls, so it's just a lot of female energy.
“I’m on the aux always; I love DJ’ing for everyone. I go through real phases of music, depending on my mood. We are really obsessed with just playing Usher at the minute, especially his song Burn.
“Maybe we have a little glass of champagne. If it's in the mini bar, we're drinking it. And it's normally really fun. I love getting ready, it’s my favourite part of the night. I think it's really important to leave enough time. I never want to be rushed.”
How would you describe your personal style?
“There’s definitely some duality in there. When I'm on stage and when I feel like I'm being a bit more front-facing, my fashion leans more towards glamour. I like to wear dresses and heels and go all out. But when I'm not working and when I'm just sort of bowling around, I feel like I have bit more of a masculine energy to my dressing. I just want to be really comfortable. So you'll probably just find me in just loafers and jeans and a cosy jumper, nothing crazy!”
What’s your top styling trick that you've picked up?
“I’ve learned a lot about balance from my stylist. So, if you're wearing something out-there and extravagant, it’s good to pare back on everything else, so opt for quite low-key make-up, or keep the hair quite simple. And then there's the other way around; if you're wearing quite a simple design, then you can go for big jewellery or big hair. If you double up, it can be a bit overwhelming, and people don't know what they're looking at. So I think it's all about balance when dressing.”
What kind of fashion makes you feel most confident?
“I never thought I would say this, but honestly, heels! Only a couple years ago, I started wearing heels on stage, and now I can't not be in heels if I'm performing. There's just something that it does to your posture and the way you carry yourself and the way you move, and it just makes me feel elegant and womanly and in charge. My favourite pair are my silver Jimmy Choos that I have. They're so bashed up now that they have seen the world. I have paired them with all sorts of outfits, and they've done me well. I have a love for heels now that I had never had before.”
How much of an impact does what you wear have when you're performing?
“It's everything. What you’re wearing is basically your personality that you're wearing for that day. It affects the way you move. It affects the way your hand gestures, or the way you speak, and just how you feel about yourself. It’s really important to consider what you're wearing. For me anyway, personally, we really like to plan the looks for every show well far in advance and be considered about it.”
How does fashion change how you feel?
“I mean, it's the difference between a good day and a bad day, sometimes, if you put the wrong outfit on, the day is ruined! It's an extension of your personality and who you are and how you want the world to see you. I know that fashion can be considered a shallow thing. but I actually think it's important. It’s vital to have fun with it and be brave to try new things, too.”
When do you feel the most beautiful?
“Honestly, I think I feel my most beautiful and I'm by the sea, or I'm on the beach – when you've just come out of the sea and your hair is wet and curly, and you're in your lovely beach clothes; maybe you've got a fab hat and some sunglasses on – that's when I think I feel my most myself. Of course, there are times on red carpets where I feel like a million dollars, but I would say I’m most myself when I'm more relaxed and natural.”
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