The pop star curated conversations with Zadie Smith and Mustafa while showcasing two distinct designer looks.
Dua Lipa has built a reputation for sophisticated style and literary curation in equal measure. This past weekend, she merged both passions at the Southbank Centre's London Literature Festival, where she hosted a series of onstage conversations—and dressed the part with meticulous attention.
On Saturday at the Royal Festival Hall, Lipa welcomed two distinct voices in contemporary literature. First came Zadie Smith, the celebrated novelist behind *White Teeth*, Smith's seminal 2000 debut. Their discussion was followed by an evening session with Sudanese Canadian poet and musician Mustafa, whose forthcoming 2025 poetry collection *Nour* examines themes of love, grief, faith, and devotion. The contrasting nature of these conversations called for equally different wardrobes.
For her afternoon with Smith, Lipa remained faithful to Chanel, selecting a tomato-red knitted dress from the fall 2026 collection. The piece featured a dropped waist and textured embellishments at the elbows and hips. Departing from the runway's softer styling, she sharpened the feminine silhouette with striking black leather knee-high lace-up boots by Le Silla. Her hair was pulled back sleekly, complemented by bold sculptural red earrings. Smith matched the elegance in a draped black sleeveless top with a brooch at the collar, paired with oat-colored corduroy trousers and patent black heels.
The evening brought a shift to Prada. Lipa appeared in a black Re-Nylon tank top with vivid hot-pink bra straps visible at the shoulders, coordinated with a matching pencil skirt. She added embroidered daisy cotton socks pulled high, finished with white satin pumps adorned with delicate feathers. Oversized hoop earrings, a slicked-back bun, and dark manicured nails completed the look.
This festival appearance arrives amid Lipa's broader embrace of autumn dressing. Recent outings with husband Callum Turner have featured seasonal layering: a sage-green Phoebe Philo trench for a casual dog walk, and a plush Charlotte Simone Lila jacket with jeans and chunky Chrome Hearts boots for a New York studio visit. While her personal style leans toward cozy practicality, her public appearances continue to showcase experimental polish.
The literary programming continues with Patti Smith scheduled for discussion, suggesting Lipa's fashionable book tour still has further chapters to unfold.