Much has been made of Dua Lipa’s graduation from pop star to pop diva – the kind that opens the Grammys, presents Kylie Minogue with the Global Icon Award at the Brits, and stars in a summer blockbuster while finishing her third album. because Greta Gerwig asked her to. The launch of Radical optimism has given Lipa’s career a boost and there has also been a major acceleration in terms of style.
As she straddles Tinseltown and the world’s biggest stadiums, Dua — who is firmly in media mogul mode, traversing continents while also producing her podcast and newsletter — has kept one thing constant in her wardrobe: leather. Her sexy boss-bitch style depends on vintage Raf Simons macs, Chrome Hearts stagewear teetering on bondage, slick Jil Sander coordinations, Ludovic de Saint Sernin odes to The Matrix and GCDS cross jackets. Sometimes (hello Versace Brit Awards dress) that luxurious leather can border on a subversive nightclubber, a cruel mistress (here’s looking at your blood-red-studded Valentino mac), or a racer babe (all that silver jewelry from Tiffany & Co and super-tight Mugler), but for the most part it’s a completely slick proposition devised by Lipa’s longtime stylist Lorenzo Posocco.
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Their partnership is proof that it pays to stick with one solid creative collaborator rather than chasing the next big thing. Posocco grew up with Dua; he understands the vision; he knows there will be no more awkward dance routines, just impeccable production; he appreciates that she is organized to perfection and, most importantly, he gets what works for her. Posocco runs rails and rails of looks, allowing Lipa to focus her energy elsewhere. It functions.
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The only time we see Dua soften her put-together image with flaming hair is with new love interest Callum Turner. PDA fashion – think straight-out-of-bed jeans, T-shirts and swaddle coats – takes precedence over editorial looks, but Lipa will never compromise on accessories. Posocco’s ability to secure the latest It bag, regardless of whether Dua is in Mexico or India, is unparalleled. She currently wears flapper styles from Birkin and Chanel, in keeping with her elevated style, but she is consistently loyal to Gucci’s Jackie and Bottega’s Gemelli – although these pale in comparison to the ultimate accessory: the internet. ‘s current favorite boyfriend. Whether the romantic flirtation is just a brief flirtation doesn’t matter: Dua and Callum are both, quite literally, capitalizing on the publicity.
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Since this is a pop star style dissection, there are some bodysuits to discuss. The Radical optimism The album artwork features Dua astride a pole in a black body, white socks and Mary-Janes heels, and there are plenty of promo shots of her diving into the sea – ‘sometimes you have to be in deep waters to find yourself’ – one-piece with accents at the bottom. Look, the businesswoman knows what sells, and she’s selling a lifestyle empire of sorts. There was even a Barry’s Bootcamp class to promote the single “Training Season.” All of us considered to go.
Next on the agenda is the career-defining headliner at Glastonbury. As evidenced by her recent appearances at the award shows, Dua Lipa has been trying her best. It’s meticulously choreographed to the point that it seems effortless, with stage clothes that simultaneously show she has her finger on the emerging designer pulse but also Donatella on speed dial. She’ll have us in the palm of her hand by the end of the summer like some kind of trusty Houdini who’s been planning this all along. Or at least be some kind of leather jacket influencer. Callum already has one.
