Dua Lipa: Gen Z style icon

Dua Lipa is a global pop star, famous for her music and entrancing dance moves. Here we take a look at the outfits that have gained her the status of a Gen Z style icon.

Echoes of the past

Dua Lipa has always worn loud items and done holiday style in her own way. This was certainly the case on her recent travels to a place that is a perfect combination of paradise with the vibes of a packed Wetherspoons on a Tuesday night; Ibiza. 

Dua Lipa in a vintage leather flame gown, before visiting a club in Ibiza
Dua Lipa in a vintage leather flame gown, before visiting a club in Ibiza

Whilst her instagram feed was filled with pictures of Dua Lipa and her girlfriends cladded in bikinis and sun cream, as well as glorious Dior boots from 2000 that were sourced specifically for a glitzy trip to the beach. But the item that caught our eye was the leather flame gown she brought out of the Mugler vault for a club night. The leather gown may not have been suitable for a sweltering Iberian club night; but Dua Lipa was going to look the part, Balearic temperatures be damned. 

But this wasn’t the only eye-catching outfit that Dua wore whilst she was in Ibiza. 

Dua Lipa’s daring black dress, fastened with clips
Dua Lipa’s daring black dress, fastened with clips

The daring LBD she selected for a final night of partying before taking to the stage at Sunny Hill Festival in Kosovo sent fans wild. The fitted black dress was fastened together by multicoloured clips and was brought to life by the infamous French label Lou de Bètoly.

Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant attending the film premiere, with focus on Hurley’s stunning Versace gown
Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant attending the film premiere, with focus on Hurley’s stunning Versace gown


The stylistic choice brought Elizabeth Hurley’s unforgettable Versace dress that she wore to the Four Weddings And A Funeral premiere in 1994, which caused a sensation that could only be matched by Jennifer Lopez’s green jungle-print look at the 2000 Grammy awards.

Bringing back vintage

Talking of the Grammy awards, Dua also caused a stir in her most recent outfit.

We’ve already highlighted the vintage leather flame dress, but her striking bondage-inspired black dress was also vintage. 

This black bombshell dress was from Versace’s autumn/winter 1992 collection, first worn on the runway by Christy Turlington. Indeed, the head-turning number kicked off something of a vintage Versace revival on the red carpet, with Bella Hadid wearing not one but two dresses from the Italian fashion house’s archive at Cannes the following month.

This isn’t new for Bella Hadid; influencers such as her and Kendall Jenner, as well as music icon Rihanna have been flying the flag for vintage fashion, often incorporating collectors’ items into their every day get-ups. Now, Gen Z has found a new poster girl for vintage in Dua Lipa and you will notice more and more of her items being vintage items.

Dua Lipa, posed for the Potion music video
Dua Lipa, posed for the Potion music video

Dua treated us to another series of stand-out vintage looks in her music video for “Potion”. She can be seen dancing in a variety of items from brands that have gone viral the pre-loved and second hand markets in recent years.

Dua’s Mediterranean wardrobe

Dua has been on her summer tour, where the superstar has been decked out in glittering custom bodysuits. But her off-duty Summer outfits have been just as noteworthy.

Away from the mania of Ibiza, Dua had a slightly more low-key trip to Italy. Here her head-turning outfits in Italy have exuded holiday chic. Here you can see the striking Lacoste two-piece shorts that she wore whilst pottering about with friends in Portofino. 

She also looked like a piece of art herself as she took in the wonderful paintings in Florence, wearing a white corseted Didu top with trousers to match.


If you are interested in learning more about style, and want something that is relevant to today, this guide to the art of the Autumn wardrobe update might be helpful. 

Not exactly a Gen Z style icon, but if you are interested in Kate Middleton, a modern fashion icon; we have explored her style here. 

If slipping into a glamorous dress like the Duchess of Cambridge doesn’t apply to you because you are pregnant, we also have a guide to luxurious Maternity wear.

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