On stage and on the red carpet, Raye exudes an old-school glamour that, like her music, combines classic styles with a modern twist. Her looks often evoke jazz singers from the 1940s and 1950s, dresses that call for a velvet curtain and spotlight.
There’s a risk that a style so steeped in history can look a little old-fashioned and dated, but Raye brings her looks into the 21stcentury with unique details, like pairing the custom Fendi Couture dress she wore to the 2024 Met Gala with fringed gloves that looked like they were frosted metal.
As we learn, chatting to Raye in the car on the way to a Fendi fitting in Milan, this burgeoning signature style is a relatively new step in the 26-year-old’s fashion journey. After signing her first record deal at 17, Raye grew up in Croydon; her teenage wardrobe of tracksuits and sneakers is a far cry from the corsets and organza skirts she now wears so effortlessly.
The singer’s rapid evolution in style is a reflection of her meteoric rise to fame. In a historic year, she has rocketed to global recognition, winning six of the seven categories she was nominated for at this year’s Brit Awards (breaking the record for most wins and nominations for an artist at the ceremony in a single year).
Her successful career is only set to grow. Find out how the star, and friend of Fendi, plans to continue to exude glamour while staying true to her roots.
Tell us about your look today – how did you choose it?
“We chose a cream knit dress, which is a nod to the 1920s – with a V-neck and organza detailing. Kim and the design team have put some looks aside; they now have a good idea of how I like to dress, as we’ve been working together for a while. I love the Fendi family so much. We all get along really well, so it’s nice when the fittings are fun and full of laughter.
“I had a great time trying on all sorts of gorgeous looks, but I had my eye on this dress on the rail the whole time. It feels effortless and it’s very, I think, very comfortable and gorgeous. The bag is a Peekaboo Soft, the leather is like butter and it really finishes the look off.”
Why does Fendi suit you and your personal style so well?
“I’m an old-fashioned girl and I’m obsessed with going through archives. I’ve loved Fendi since I was a kid, and I didn’t even understand what fashion was back then. I think I’m still figuring that out. What I really appreciate now is that they have this balance between modern styling and this beautiful history.
“The look they created for the Met Gala was one of those moments for me. Being there, in that dress, was so overwhelming. I mean, South London and the Met Gala are polar opposites! I felt like I was on another planet, honestly; it was insane. I was just trying to take it all in.
“Fendi also dressed me for a very special moment, when I was accepting an award at The Brits. I wore a long black dress, with this beautiful embroidery and everything about the fit made me feel so beautiful.”
How involved are you in the styling process?
“A big part of my thing, and I know it’s not very fashionable to say it, is being comfortable. Comfort is very important to me, you know.
“That’s one of the great things about finding the perfect dress – I need it to be on stage too. I need to feel confident, and I need to feel good and comfortable, because then I can feel beautiful. That’s what it’s all about. So I need to be involved in the process to know that I’m comfortable. I need to know that it looks like it’s been stolen, but it doesn’t hurt me.
“Especially with heels, because you have to find the right shoe for your foot. You have to try it out, because there are heels that you can wear that look uncomfortable but are actually comfortable. Comfort for me is, ‘I could walk in them for an hour,’ because I have a very low pain threshold. When you put them on, you have to give them 15 minutes to see how long you can stand it. But Celine Dion will tell you something completely different, she says that if she loves a shoe, she will make it work no matter what – she will break her foot to get into a shoe! It’s inspiring… but I need comfort.
“Some people fit me and I have to say, ‘Girl, this isn’t going to work,’ because I don’t feel free. When I step on stage, I need what I’m wearing to help me step into this beautiful character that I get to be. I put my rollers in, I have my big hair and I just feel really powerful.”
How has your personal style developed over the years?
“For years I had no personal style at all! It was tragic. But I think we all have to start somewhere. Look, I’m a Croydon girl too, I used to wear a lot of tracksuits, streetwear, sportswear and stuff like that. I always said, ‘I only want to wear baggy clothes’. No skirts, no dresses.
“And then something happened. My hairdresser tried a roller set on me for an award. Since then I’ve discovered what I like. This old-school glamour is how I want to dress forever.”
What does your ideal preparation look like?
“I would have a nice candle burning, a record player with some nice records to listen to. The room would also have to be warm because I hate being cold! If I’m talking about the absolute perfect day, dream setup, then there would have to be a fireplace.
“I would like to take my time and not rush. I would take a nice long bath and then slowly get ready, do my hair and put on lots of hairspray.”
When do you feel most beautiful?
“On stage. Because I feel powerful, free and fearless.”
Why is it important what we wear?
“It all comes down to confidence and feeling good about yourself. If I put on something that I feel good about, it affects how I talk to people – I feel so much more confident in myself. It affects how outgoing I am that day.
“My self-care has been pretty bad this year and that’s something I really want to work on towards the end of the year. I want to go home, organize my closet, go through everything and plan out all my outfits so that I feel good when I leave the house.”
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