Harry Styles surprises at the BBC Live Lounge wearing a custom Conner Ives shirt that blends seventies aesthetics with a modern pop spirit.
Harry Styles once again proved why he remains one of the most influential style figures in contemporary pop culture. During his recent appearance on the BBC Live Lounge, where he performed a cover of ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ by Tears for Fears, the singer delivered not only a memorable performance but also a fashion moment that immediately caught the attention of the industry.
For the performance, Styles wore a custom silk shirt designed by Conner Ives, one of the most talked-about emerging designers on the London fashion scene. Although the original song dates back to 1985, the singer’s look clearly evoked the aesthetic of the 1970s, combining brown and orange tonal prints that created a distinctly retro energy.
The shirt featured burnt-orange polka dots layered over brown and red squares, while the sleeves incorporated different multicoloured patterns. The outfit was completed with a matching tie, where stripes and colour blocks reinforced the bold graphic narrative of the ensemble.
To balance the visual intensity of the printed shirt, Harry Styles opted for more understated pieces for the rest of the look. The singer paired the shirt with fluid grey trousers and white lace-up ballet flats by Celine, a type of footwear that has become one of his most recognisable style signatures. As a final touch, he added a Tank Louis Cartier watch, enhancing the contrast between the retro-inspired outfit and the timeless elegance of classic watchmaking.
The appearance also marks one of the first moments in which Conner Ives explores the territory of menswear. The designer has built his reputation in recent years within womenswear, particularly through his festive and sensual dresses that have become increasingly difficult to obtain due to rising demand.
Among his most viral creations is the ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt, worn by figures such as Pedro Pascal and Troye Sivan, further boosting the designer’s visibility within contemporary cultural circles.
In his Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, Ives introduced a menswear proposal for the first time, reinterpreting his signature visual language. The collection leaned towards a more relaxed and experimental aesthetic, combining cotton rugby shirts with printed waist wraps, sweatshirts styled with historically inspired embroidered shoes, and cropped-lapel tuxedos paired with white blouses.
Harry Styles’ Live Lounge look appears to capture part of that creative spirit. On the runway, the designer had worked with micro-geometric and paisley scarves in earthy tones, elements that were later reinterpreted in the construction of the shirt worn by the singer.
Although Conner Ives’ entry into menswear is still at an early stage, collaborating with a cultural figure of Harry Styles’ influence suggests that the designer may be building something far bigger. And if recent fashion history has proven anything, it is that when Harry Styles champions a designer, the entire industry soon begins to pay attention.
