There is no doubt that songwriter and soul songstress Laura Mvula is making serious waves in the music industry. We caught five minutes with the artist at the ELLE Style Awards to discuss fashion, the Baftas and hitting the dance floor...
What are you wearing tonight?
A vintage skirt, a Wolford top, Kurt Geiger boots and Mawi jewellery.
How was opening the Baftas?
I’m not going to lie, I feel like the ‘people’s girl’ because in my mind I’m not a part of this strange, crazy, glamorous world! The Baftas was just insane – it was as dramatic as you can get! They wanted me to perform the exact version that’s on Tinie’s record, which meant I had no lead, key or beat to guide me. I had to just go with it! It felt pretty strange, but the feedback has been good so that’s enough for me.
Do you find it strange to hear yourself then?
I always love hearing 'Green Garden' playing!
If you could collaborate or sing with anyone who would you choose?
Pharrell! I know he’s here tonight and is man of the moment, but he has been such an inspiration throughout my musical journey. We were on the same bill for the Alicia Keys Black Ball in New York. She invited me to open for her – that was insane!
How does that make you feel when such huge names want you to work with them?
Sometimes I go from thinking it’s the most amazing thing in the world, to realising that in this stunned state I'm not very productive! So I wrestle between thinking ‘oh my god’ and ‘let’s get on with it’. But with Alicia, I told her that she was the first geeky girl crush I had and the first arena show that I ever saw – so to be performing with her, which was her vision for the whole thing, it was incredibly surreal.
What’s your take on the fashion scene?
I’m becoming a convert! Fashion is an insane world and something I’m fascinated by, and I love these Kurt Geiger boots I’m wearing – it’s not often that you find shoes that are ‘kick-ass’ and still comfortable.
What about London Fashion Week?
Y’all be crazy man, I don’t understand it! It’s a different world but I really feel that there’s a place for me there in the future. It was very surreal at the Hunter show as I was sat next to Stella McCartney - I thought I’d be with the music crowd. Then just two seats down was Anna Wintour, not wearing her sunglasses I might add!
What’s in your handbag?
A headscarf to keep my hair flat and my Chanel Chance perfume, which I wore on my wedding day four years ago!
What song will get you on the dance floor later?
Anything by Michael Jackson does it for me!
