Magazine Madness: Dua Lipa’s 2021 VOGUE, from New Artist to New Rules

VOGUE UK February 2021 

Dua Lipa appears to have lived 9 lives already in her 25 years—child of war-fleeing immigrants from Kosovo, determined goal at teenage, two-time MTV Europe Music Award, three-time Brit and Global Award, four Grammys in-hand and six-straight MTV Video Play Award winner has to become—a pop artist who emerged from a DGAF to the next massive star. Now a full fledged musician, this young Brit returns to cover of VOGUE UK, by wearing Giorgio Armani’s beaded jersey dress, stars in a transformative fashion story by photographer Emma Summerton. With Grammy’s Best Pop Vocal Album on 14^th March 2021 under her belt and a clutch of new tracks, she opens up her uncertainty, anxiety and new rules to interviewer Yomi Adegoke. I began to notice Dua Lipa’s slightly husky voice but strong vocals from her 2017 smash hit “IDGAF”, finding her ELLE UK August 2020 interview and styles very attractive, on March 15^th midnight while watching her dazzling medley “Levitating” and “Don’t Start Now” from the 63^rd Grammy performance on broadcasting, and at the same time reading the words at VOGUE UK, during the Finland’s third implemented lockdown, inevitably I hold the same question as Dua’s :OK, What’s next?

Dua Lipa describes her oeuvre as ‘dance-crying’ or ‘dark-pop’, however, her 2020 release Future Nostalgia’s “Dance” and “Pop” both sound more positive glamorous than 2017’s single “New Rules” or “IDGAF”. Her outlook has been converting from glam sporty to retro sexual since 2017: styling by Kate Phelan, in VOGUE UK February 2021 issue, Dua Lipa has her cut for bob and dyed in blond, wearing black Valentino playsuits, silver Givenchy bandage mini dress, Alberta Ferretti pink satin bra or Balenciaga chain-mail slip dress, recreating Marilyn Monroe’s portraits, comparing Léa Seydoux in VOGUE Paris 20/21 issue, yet in a rather alternative ways. 

 

Despite of myriads of change of Dua Lipa, still her relationship with social media remaining complicated. Dua Lipa gains certain followers by uploading cover songs on YouTube while attending Sylvia Young Theatre Schools at age of 15 (in 2010), but in 2020, after a video of her in a strip club surfaced, there were tons of hatred comments via Twitter; it goes without saying that Lipa is staunchly anti-Brexit and troubled by anti-immigration rhetoric. Still, while life under public eyes can take its toll, Dua asserts that much has remained unchanged, “I’d love to do something fun in terms of fashion” (109).

As for photography, since the cover of February 2021 issue is at brownish grey, and Lipa’s Giorgio Armani dress is rather darker tone, that silver Chanel camellias covering the price tags would be always the ultimate option. Spring Finnish pastel pink roses touch the edge of the pages, while TOM FORD #72 Tony the crimson red tone with copper gold cap match perfectly with Ferrero Rocher chocolate, and CHANEL Spring 2021 Button collection earrings are my recent favourite, while Chanel eyebrow pencil #60 Noir Cendré is yet another good bargain. Last but not the least, sprinkling of dark pink rose buds always signify my flat lay photography. 2021 welcomes IDGAF styles, creates new rules.

 

-> DUA LIPA IDGAF AT THE NEW SEASON: ELLE UK AUGUST 2020