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Olivier Awards 'Best Actress' Sheila Atim On Style, Creative Voice And That Pink Prada Column Dress

Photo credit: Gareth Cattermole - Getty Images
Photo credit: Gareth Cattermole - Getty Images

'I feel like I am really coming into my own at the moment. When it comes to style,' says actor Sheila Atim, the morning after she was crowned 'Best Actress' at 2022's Olivier Awards.

And such an exceptional night - which marked one of the first times the industry has been gathered together in such proportions since the pandemic began - demanded an equally exceptional outfit. The theatre star, who won the award for her role in two-hander Constellations alongside Ivanno Jeremiah, walked the Royal Albert Hall's red carpet in an exquisite pink Prada column dress, complete with matching baby pink satin bomber-jacket-come-shawl.

The look, completed by a set of Stephen Webster diamond earrings, Webster bracelets and De Beers rings, was worthy of an award in itself.

Photo credit: David M. Benett - Getty Images
Photo credit: David M. Benett - Getty Images

'I have been working with stylist Abisoye Odugbesan, who has such a great eye. What I love about this look is that it feels like a twist on a classic. It's a gown, but the cut is so specific, with that square neckline and the Prada triangle. The bomber jacket is really what drew me to it though,' Atim explains.

'For me, I really like anything that's playful. I wear a lot of sportswear in my day-to-day. I grew up in Essex, I am a trainer addict, and so I like to feel as though I can reflect some of that in my style, but for an event like this to elevate it to that really heightened, dramatic look. I'm all for it.

'The hair and make-up styling just lifts that further. My hair stylist, Subrina Kidd, she shaped up my edges and gave me that super sharp fade. It's teetering on the line of 'is it something? Is it not?' which it gives the look an element of intrigue,' Atim continues.

And intrigue and depth is something that the actor has been thinking about a lot, in her clothing style and more generally, too.

'I have been stepping into my own agency and understanding that I have my own creative voice and feeding that into what I wear and how I express myself. It's nice to feel complex. I have always leant into my androgyny, but I love wearing a ballgown and heels as well. I like wearing things that you wouldn't expect of me, but here I am and you can see some of my personality shining through. Being able to be part of the creative process is a big deal for me,' she says of styling choices.

'I think that's particularly important when you are a performer or in the entertainment industry,' she postulates. 'It's so easy for people to plaster an idea onto you and I am really not about that life. As an actor, musician, as a writer, I am just trying really hard to be myself. As boxes close in around me, I'm trying to push them back out.'

Photo credit: Jeff Spicer - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jeff Spicer - Getty Images

And of the awards themselves? It seems that even though she won probably the most coveted award on the night, there was an element of being just happy to be there. 'It is really special. Because I had such a great time, working with such a wonderful team. With Constellations, the project felt so much bigger than just me as an actor. It was about the re-opening of London theatre. We were one of the first shows on and out of the four casts, myself and Ivanno Jeremiah were the first two to perform, so we really did open the show.'

'And what was so nice about last night in particular is that it felt like an acknowledgement of what a moment that was. It felt like a reminder of why we're all here. Some people in their speeches spoke about how close they were to giving up. Some thought they would never work again. It was so honest and pure-hearted. It was magical to be reminded of the power of performance,' Atim finishes an important thought.

With theatres open once again and awards shows happening on such a grand scale, plus the Best Actress gong in her clutches, you might think she'd be off to at least three after parties for further celebration. But the reality was a little subtler.

'I had my own after party. I stayed at the Corinthia hotel and they left me another bottle of champagne for when I got back. A couple of friends came round and we ordered room service. We had some chicken wings, larry [the Olivier statue] was sitting on the table next to us, enjoying the gossip. It was low key and perfect.'

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