‘Dame Elaine Paige looked sensational in my bright pink opera coat’ says Yorkshire designer Kevan Jon
Dame Elaine Paige took centre stage at the Olivier Awards in London last Sunday wearing a showstopping fuchsia pink opera coat created by Yorkshire “designer to the stars” Kevan Jon.
Dame Elaine, 78, collected the Special Award at the 50th anniversary ceremony of the Olivier Awards to honour her extraordinary contribution to musical theatre over a career spanning 60 years.
From his Halifax studio, Kevan said: “Elaine Paige is an iconic woman so she needed an iconic look, and she certainly had this at the Olivier Awards.
“She delivered pure glamour in Kevan Jon, keeping it British with the Kevan Jon brand.
“I couldn't have been more delighted. She wore the coat with undeniable confidence and elegance.”
The collaboration came about after Kevan Jon Content and Social Media creator Ruby Smith talked with Dame Elaine’s stylist, Arabella Boyce.
“She asked me to send her over some pieces for possible photoshoots she had coming up,” said Ruby.
“I sent her a few different pieces and she said Dame Elaine Paige is being honoured at The Olivier Awards this year and she would love to use the pink opera coat.
“The opera coat is crafted in a stunning fuchsia pink taffeta fabric that catches the light beautifully, giving it a luxurious almost metallic glow.
“It’s a striking floor-length coat, featuring a voluminous A-line shape, statement sleeves with soft gathers to add to the theatrical feel.
“She looks sensational and absolutely owned the Kevan Jon look.”
Kevan Jon’s glamorous but wearable dresses are famed for bringing a little twist of wow, and he has become a go-to designer for those in search of red carpet showstoppers, with Annabel Croft, Vogue Williams, Emily Andre, Ruth Langsford, Shobna Gulati, Jennie McAlpine, Love Island's Gabby Allen, Laura Hamilton and Lucy Pargeter among those spotted wearing his designs.
Kevan said: “I knew when Ruby had sourced the coat with the voluminous sleeves, it would bring a couture sculptural drama, while creating that balance for Elaine.
“I feel the coat finished off her look perfectly. It reminds me why I do what I do - to create pieces that make women feel extraordinary.”
After Annabel Croft wore a Kevan Jon white jumpsuit to present the Wimbledon Men's Final trophy in 2024, sales of the design rocketed.
Kevan Jon designs are favourites of mothers of the bride, and the brand prides itself on offering luxurious and high-end dresses and jumpsuits which are relatively affordable, from around £250.
Kevan studied Fashion Manufacturing at Batley College of Art & Design, then a degree at Epsom School of Art and Design. He launched his eponymous label in 1992, and his HQ has been at Berwick Mill in Halifax for 16 years. The clothes are made in Scunthorpe and at a large factory in Enfield.
There are boutiques stocking Kevan Jon across the UK. In Yorkshire they can be found in Doncaster, Sheffield, Hebden Bridge, Beverley, York (Molly Browns), Barnsley, Pudsey and Harrogate (Snooty Frox). Harrogate Fashion Week, which is trade only, has been a key place for showcasing and finding new stockists.
Also at the Olivier Awards 2026, Best Family Show was won by The Boy at the Back of the Class, which was adapted by Yorkshire Post film critic Nick Ahad.