Surround Sound

By Isabella Dewson

Olivia Dean’s music is imbued with warmth and honesty, and now her style tells a reflective story. Working closely with stylist Simone Beyene, Dean has cultivated a visual identity that is cohesive rather than performative. There’s no sense of costume or concept dressing for headlines. Instead, her wardrobe reads as an elevated extension of her artistry. Beyene is exceptionally skilled in curating Dean’s style in a way that feels uplifting and deeply personal. 

At the core of her aesthetic are romantic-leaning silhouettes that feel classic and timeless, with nods to styles from the 60s and 70s. Soft tailoring, fluid fabrics and considered structure all create a sense of polish whilst keeping her looks  contemporary.

At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Dean’s red-carpet look became a defining fashion moment. She arrived in a custom Black and White Chanel Gown featuring a glimmering sequin bodice and a voluminous skirt with feathered waist detail. A design that married classic couture glamour with playful, romantic details. This look perfectly reflected her Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The moment  was particularly significant as she became the first British artist to win in said category since 2019.

This look is similarly a testament to Simone Beyene’s ability to craft  narratives through fashion. From the initial concept to the final fit, Beyene approached the ensemble as more than just clothing; she saw it as an extension of Dean’s rising prominence in the industry and her artistic identity. 

Moreover, Dean’s stage outfits are equally expressive yet instinctively linked to who she is. Nothing feels gimmicky. Nothing feels detached from her. Under Simone Beyene’s direction, the stage becomes an amplification of her personality rather than a theatrical reinvention.

For her sold out London Apollo shows, she wore custom pieces that infused theatricality with her classic romantic style.

One of the most talked-about moments from Dean’s three-night sold-out London Apollo residency in May 2024 was her custom series of Parnell Mooney creations. For each night, she stepped on stage in a voluminous taffeta two-piece. 

Beyond Apollo, another of Dean’s festival outfits show how adaptive her stage style can be. At Glastonbury 2024, she entered the iconic Pyramid Stage in a custom Chopova Lowena piece: a bubble skirt paired with metallic hardware and a black vest top personally embroidered with a photograph of her grandmother. 

What made the moment so resonant was its authenticity. The outfit didn’t feel like a look engineered for impact or branding; rather, it felt considered and intentional. In that sense, it perfectly encapsulates Dean and Beyene’s approach to stage style. 

Her Personal Style

Off stage and away from the red carpet, Olivia Dean’s wardrobe shifts into something softer and more intimate, but no less considered. Her everyday style feels realistic, built on pieces that prioritise ease without sacrificing shape or sentiment. Soft tailoring is a cornerstone. Dean is often seen in gently structured layers as well as simple tees, paired with relaxed trousers or skirts. Her outfits feel incredibly wearable and it is here that her aesthetic becomes the most attainable. 

Olivia Dean’s style succeeds for the same reason her music does: it feels honest. With the thoughtful guidance of Simone Beyene, she has built a wardrobe that doesn’t chase spectacle, but instead deepens her narrative. From the red carpets of the Grammy Awards to her everyday style, her fashion choices remain rooted in warmth, romanticism and personality.