It often feels like Albanian music star Dua Lipa appeared out of thin air, suddenly dominating our airwaves with pop hit after pop hit. But the singer has actually been a red carpet mainstay since the mid-2010s, and therefore when it comes to reflecting on her personal style, we’ve actually got a lot to work with.
When she began her career it was primarily in Europe, not Hollywood – but even at the outset, Dua Lipa was a fan of daring, attention-grabbing fashion, whether it was colour-clashing on the red carpet or mixing preppy and punk on the streets of Paris.
Now, we’re addicted to Dua Lipa’s fashion sense, but really – her style evolution has simply been about us all finally realising she had that sartorial ‘it’ factor.
2016
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 23: Dua Lipa attends the BBC Radio 1’s Teen Awards at SSE Arena Wembley on October 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
For BBC Radio 1’s Teen Awards way back in 2016, Dua Lipa showed a glimpse of her knack for effortless red carpet style in an Alessandra Rich chinoiserie gown and pink heels.
2017
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Dua Lipa attends the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards 2017 at Wembley Arena on October 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Look, it’s definitely dated but be honest – we all wanted this Giambatista Valli Couture gown back in 2017.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 17: Singer Dua Lipa is seen on October 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images)
We loved this preppy football jersey look with a punk tartan mini and Mary Katrantzou platforms in Paris.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 10: Dua Lipa attends the Capital Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium on June 10, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
For the Capital Summertime Ball in London (where she later performed), Lipa wore a green coat over a velvet and mesh bralette, black suede mini and some serious platform pumps.
2018
HAMBURG, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 06: Dua Lipa attends the Deutscher Radiopreis at Schuppen 52 on September 6, 2018 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Tristar Media/WireImage)
Attending an event in Germany, Lipa went more low key in an oversized pinstripe suit with her favourite top choice of the late 2010s – an embellished bralette.
2018
Dua Lipa and Isaac Carew seen out and about in Manhattan on June 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images) Getty Images
Out with then-boyfriend Isaac Carew, Dua Lipa wore the sweetest Marianna Senchina polkadot set, paired with Le Specs sunglasses and Adidas platform sneakers.
THE 2018 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS(r) – The “2018 American Music Awards,” the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, on ABC. (Image Group LA via Getty Images)DUA LIPA
Finally making her way to the American music award circuit, the artist wore Giambattista Valli, a mermaid-style gown that felt equal parts Old Hollywood and edgy.
2019
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 06: Dua Lipa attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
For the 2019 Met Gala, Lipa stole the red carpet in this incredible look by Versace, featuring a pillowy waist, jewelled bodice and some serious, serious hair extensions.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 02: Singer Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid are seen walking in Soho on October 2, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)
Out in New York with then-boyfriend Anwar Hadid, Dua Lipa gave us a glimpse of her off-duty style, which often leans toward streetwear but with a twist – like this look, where the artist paired Adidas trackpants with a yellow bodysuit and Vivienne Westwood bag.
SEVILLE, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 03: Dua Lipa attends the MTV EMAs 2019 at FIBES Conference and Exhibition Centre on November 03, 2019 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/WireImage )
For the MTV EMAs in 2019, Dua Lipa wore Australian designer Dion Lee, complete with leather harness and Jimmy Choo Mica boots.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Dua Lipa attends the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Firmly cementing herself as one-to-watch in fashion, the star then went Barbiecore in a Miu Miu column dress with velvet sash.
Credit: Getty
The star headed to Australia for the ARIA Awards in 2019 too, dominating the red carpet in a feathered mini by Saint Laurent and polkadot tights. Later in the night, she changed into another Dion Lee piece – this time the label’s famous Sheer Jersey Corset for a performance.
2020
The return of bike shorts was a blessing for all casual girlies everywhere, and Dua Lipa was definitely on board in 2020 with this Versace pair.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Dua Lipa attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Exuding minimalism at the Grammy Awards, the ‘One Kiss’ singer wore Alexander Wang paired with 90s hair and some serious blue eyeshadow.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 17: Anwar Hadid (L) and Dua Lipa are seen in SoHo on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
During their relationship Anwar Hadid and Dua Lipa were definitely one of the most stylish couples snapped by paparazzi. Here, the singer wore her favourite Prada Cloudbust Thunder sneakers, which she had on repeat through 2020.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Dua Lipa poses for the 2020 American Music Awards, broadcast on November 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for dcp)
For the 2020 American Music Awards, Dua Lipa once again stole the red carpet – this time in a bejewelled Versace mini dress and pinned back waves.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 16: Dua Lipa departs her hotel on December 16, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
Athleisure, but make it 1960s – that’s exactly what the ‘New Rules’ singer did with this Richard Quinn x Moncler look, which featured shoes, tights and the famous puffer jacket from the designer collaboration.
Credit: Instagram / @dualipa
During a holiday in Mexico, Lipa shared her love for Rihanna’s lingerie label Savage x Fenty, wearing one of the brand’s thongs as outerwear under a gown by Mônot.
2021
LOS ANGELES – MARCH 14: Dua Lipa at THE 63rd ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS, broadcast live from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 14, 2021 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/5:00-8:30 PM, live PT) on the CBS Television Network and Paramount+. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images)
We know Dua Lipa loves a butterfly motif, so her wearing this crystal Versace gown to the 2021 Grammy Awards made perfect sense.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Dua Lipa seen leaving BBC Radio One after her Live Lounge performance on April 19, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)
The star wore this Prada romper and sky-high platform boots for a BBC Radio One performance in 2021.
UNSPECIFIED – APRIL 25: In this image released on April 25, Dua Lipa attends the 29th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on April 25, 2021. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for the Elton John AIDS Foundation)
Absolutely dripping in crystals for an Elton John AIDS Foundation event, Lipa’s Balenciaga dress was one of two she wore for the event – the other being a dramatic velvet ball gown.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Dua Lipa attends The BRIT Awards 2021 at The O2 Arena on May 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by JMEnternational/JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/Getty Images)
At the 2021 BRIT Awards, the star brought back the bouffant while wearing Vivienne Westwood. It was all very Amy Winehouse in the best way.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 21: Anwar Hadid and Dua Lipa are seen on September 21, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by BG030/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Out with Hadid in September, Lipa wore a Luar Spring 2022 coat over a check micro-mini and paired it all back with Jimmy Choo boots.
Credit: Instagram/@dualipa
She can do minimalist, she can do maximalist. On holiday in Albania, Lipa shared an Instagram of her crochet bikini by Italian label GCDS, paired with pink sunglasses and stacks of party jewellery.
2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 03: Dua Lipa attends the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
The star’s 2022 Grammy Awards look might be our favourite yet. For the event, Lipa wore vintage Versace (from the label’s 1992 collection) and debuted blonde hair on the red carpet.
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Dua Lipa is seen on March 03, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by MediaPunch/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Forever bending and breaking fashion rules, the star stepped out in New York in March 2022 wearing fresh-off-the-runway Diesel.
CHARLEVAL, FRANCE – AUGUST 27: Dua Lipa attends the wedding Of Simon Porte Jacquemus And Marco Maestri on August 27, 2022 in Charleval, France. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
White? As a wedding guest? For Simon Porte Jacquemus And Marco Maestri’s nuptials in France, that was the memo and Lipa stunned in a sheer gown from Jacquemus’ Fall 2022 collection.
2023
Credit: Instagram / Dua Lipa
Once again wearing Italian label GCDS, Lipa turned heads (including her own) in this yellow leather set, which included a motocross jacket with none other than Spongebob Squarepants on the back.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 07: Dua Lipa and Mark Ronson are seen out and about on March 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
Out for the night with music producer Mark Ronson and his wife Grace Gummer, Dua Lipa wore a suede set by Ferragamo, teamed with riding boots.
Credit: Instagram / Dua Lipa
As always, Lipa gave everyone holiday fashion inspiration with a vacay in Jamaica, where she wore plenty of Y2K fits like this silver mesh dress over a white bikini.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Dua Lipa is seen on the front row of the GCDS fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2023/2024 on February 23, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
One of her best looks yet, this lace jumpsuit – worn for the GCDS Milan Fashion Week show – needs no notes.
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 28: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Dua Lipa attends the Saint Laurent Womenswear Fall Winter 2023-2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on February 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
2023 is proving to be Dua Lipa’s best fashion year yet, and this Saint Laurent look for the fashion house’s Fall/Winter Womenswear show was front row perfection. That floor skimming trench? It’s giving chic Matrix.
topics: DUA LIPA