The radical optimism of Dua Lipa’s fans has paid off and has led to the announcement of a tour and the launch of her highly anticipated third studio album.
‘Radical Optimism’ releases on 3rd May this year. Followed by a Summer Tour where the 28-year-old pop star will be headlining Glastonbury 2024, alongside popular acts like Coldplay and Shania Twain on the iconic Pyramid Stage.
STARTING SMALL BEFORE STARDOM
Dua Lipa came from humble beginnings born and raised in London to Kosovar Albanian parents Anesa and Dukagjin Lipa. She is one of three children with a sister named Rina and a brother named Gjin.
Her dad was a lead singer and guitarist in an Albanian rock band called Oda. Dua grew up listening to his music. She lists her father’s band as one of her major influences. Dua enjoyed music growing up, attending cello lessons and singing lessons at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, a specialist performing arts school producing talents like Amy Winehouse. Shortly after her family moved back to Kosovo when independence was reached in 2008; however, Dua decided to move back to London at age 15 to pursue her music career. During this time, she modelled and posted her songs to YouTube and SoundCloud. After covering songs on YouTube and covering the song ‘Lost in Music’ in an ‘X Factor’ advertisement, Dua signed a contract with Tap Management before signing her record deal with Warner Bros. Records in 2014. With this label, Dua released her self-titled first album in 2017 which is now certified triple platinum. Now an honorary Ambassador of Albania, Dua, has won three Grammy Awards and seven BRIT Awards for her music.
A NEW ERA OF OPTIMISM
The Kosovar Albanian singer’s third studio album explores radical optimism, a philosophical concept. Dua defines radical optimism in a press release as ‘going through chaos gracefully and feeling like you can weather any storm’. Radical optimism suggests looking at the good in every part of life and the ability to remain calm and grounded in the face of uncertainty or problems.
It has been four years since Dua’s last studio release. The successful ‘Future Nostalgia’ explored the sound of ’80s and ’90s pop-funk and was full of Madonna and Kylie Minogue-inspired disco. The album received a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and a BRIT award for British Album for the Year in 2021.
‘Radical Optimism’ takes a different direction sonically. It is a psychedelic pop-infused record with Brit Pop icons like Primal Scream, Gorillaz, Blur and Oasis as inspirations. The two lead singles of the album ‘Houdini and ‘Training Season’ are inspired by these artists with their sassy lyrics and energetic tempos. They capture the joyful and liberating experience that ‘Radical Optimism’ aims to capture.
The ’Radical Optimism’ tour starts in Berlin, Germany, this June to October with a break before the final show in London at the famous Royal Albert Hall. Other than a show at Glastonbury, Dua will be stopping at other festivals along the tour such as the Open’er Festival, Mad Cool Festival and Nos Alive Festival.
FASHION FORWARD
Named as a fashion icon, Dua has strong ties to the fashion industry and has been named a fashion icon over the years because of her Mugler performance outfits and ambassadorship of high-fashion brands.
In 2024, Dua became the global make-up ambassador for Yves Saint Laurent Beauty. She started working for the brand in 2019 by becoming the face of the Libre and Libre Intense fragrances. The singer was featured in advertisements for the brand and covered the song ‘I’m Free’ to promote the eau de parfum.
Dua Lipa has had a close relationship with Donatella Versace and the brand Versace since 2018. It was only natural for the pair to collaborate which they did for the ‘La Vacanza’ collection under Versace last year. In a press release for the collection, Dua stated that she and Donatella had “decided to do it on a night out in New York”. The beachwear-inspired collection was displayed to the world at the Cannes Film Festival in a blockbuster runway featuring sun-kissed models on the May 23rd. The capsule collection was playful and optimistic, it encapsulated Versace glamour with its references to typical Versace motifs and materials with its butterfly prints, and chainmail fabrics in slinky 90s silhouettes. The collection keeps a luxurious and indigent summer in mind with its sparkling high heels, butterfly jewellery and co-ord sets that combine two archive Versace patterns.
The Versace collection was not Dua’s first foray into the fashion world. In 2020, Dua released a collaboration with the British denim brand Pepe Jeans. The collection took inspiration from the silhouettes and style of the late 80s and early 90s fashion.
MOVIE DEBUT
Outside of her music and fashion, Dua Lipa has featured in two movies, 2023’s ‘Barbie’ where she debuted in the role of Mermaid Barbie alongside a star-studded cast including Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Kate McKinnon. Dua featured on the soundtrack with the first single of the album ‘Dance the Night’. The single was nominated for the Song of the Year award at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Dua also featured in this year’s spy-action comedy ‘Argylle’ to rave reviews.
Is there no end to Dua Lipa’s talents?!
Sam Burnett, our celebrity columnist has done her hair for Fashion Weeks and said she is one of the nicest celebs he’s met too! Fantastic singer, songwriter, model, fashion icon, movie star, Dua Lipa is well and truly worthy of her cover star status.
