Dua Lipa is the kind of girl who makes everything look effortless—easy, cool, and completely natural. She’s built an incredible career, had some truly amazing fashion moments, and topped the charts multiple times. Her life seems like one iconic moment after another, but here are our top 12 favorites.
Moving Back to London at 15
Dua was born in London to Albanian parents who fled Kosovo in the ’90s. She spent her early childhood in the UK, but after Kosovo declared independence, her family moved back to Pristina. Dua was 11 at the time. Life was good in both places, but even as a young teen, she had one thing on her mind—music.
At just 15, she convinced her parents to let her move back to London on her own to chase her dream. Once she was there, Dua got straight to work: enrolling in school, taking singing classes at the Sylvia Young Theatre School on weekends (yup, the same one Amy Winehouse and Rita Ora attended), and uploading song covers to YouTube. It was a bold move that would later become the origin story of one of pop’s biggest stars.
The Release of “New Rules” (2017)
Do you think Dua knew that when she wrote “New Rules,” she was basically creating a post-breakup Bible? The song instantly became a self-help anthem for girls around the world. It made you feel empowered and ready to dance instead of moping around after heartbreak. The music video radiated “girls support girls” energy and cool-headed self-respect.
The BRITs Double Win (2018)
In 2018, Dua made history by scoring five BRIT Award nominations in a single night (no big deal) and casually walked away with two: British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act. A total “main character” moment.
She accepted the awards with a calm, confident “yup, I deserve this” attitude and ended her speech by saying, “Here’s to more women on this stage and more women winning awards and more women taking over the world.” Hard to disagree.
Winning the Best New Artist Grammy (2019)
By the 2019 Grammys, Dua wasn’t the “new girl” anymore—she was the girl everyone was talking about. She owned the night, winning Best New Artist and, because one trophy clearly wasn’t enough, Best Dance Recording for Electricity with Diplo and Mark Ronson.
Her acceptance speech was a total mic-drop moment. She stood up there all poised and cool, then said, “I guess we really stepped up this year,” with a grin that said she knew exactly how iconic that was. Equal parts humble and savage.
Dua Becomes the “Covid Queen” With Future Nostalgia (2020)
While most of us were spending lockdown baking banana bread or pretending to enjoy at-home workouts, Dua Lipa was busy saving pop music and our sanity. Dropping Future Nostalgia right when she did was risky, but it turned out to be a genius move.
It was exactly what everyone needed—a glittery, feel-good disco album that made us want to dance in our kitchens. She truly earned that “Covid Queen” crown.
Her First Rolling Stone Cover (2021)
Every pop star knows they’ve made it when they land their first Rolling Stone cover—and Dua absolutely delivered. Shot by the iconic David LaChapelle, the shoot was retro, glam, and futuristic all at once—a perfect reflection of Future Nostalgia.
In the accompanying interview, Dua discussed fame, confidence, and staying grounded while her career was exploding—and somehow made it all sound effortless.
Her Performance at the Grammy Awards (2021)
Remember Dua’s 2021 Grammys performance? Award shows were still finding their footing mid-pandemic, but Dua came out and basically said, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”
She performed Levitating and Don’t Start Now in a sparkly pink outfit, dancing like it was second nature and sounding flawless while doing it. It was effortlessly iconic—one of those performances that live rent-free in our heads.
Going Number One With Elton John (2021)
Dua Lipa and Elton John was the collaboration we didn’t know we needed. The mashup of Elton’s classics Rocket Man and Sacrifice with Dua’s vocals was pure magic—nostalgic yet refreshingly modern.
Oh, and it helped Elton score his first #1 in the UK charts in 16 years. A legend helping a legend.
Versace Runway Debut
Once you’ve conquered the music charts, what’s next? Fashion, obviously. Dua opened and closed the Versace show at Milan Fashion Week and, as always, made it look like a casual stroll.
She looked stunning, radiating confidence and swagger. Even Donatella Versace said Dua was “a dream to work with.” That’s just who she is—someone who makes everything look easy.
Acting Debut and “Dance the Night” for the Barbie Movie (2023)
We couldn’t write a list of Dua’s most iconic moments without mentioning her cameo in Barbie. Her turn as Mermaid Barbie was hilarious, fun, and perfectly camp.
Her song “Dance the Night” didn’t just set the tone for the movie—it became the summer anthem of 2023. It lived rent-free in our playlists for months, and we didn’t even mind.
“La Vacanza” Collection With Versace (2023)
Walking for Versace was only the beginning. In 2023, Dua co-designed the La Vacanza collection with Donatella Versace.
While some might’ve expected a celebrity to just slap their name on a label, Dua proved she had genuine taste and an eye for design. Inspired by the Italian Riviera, the collection was a pastel summer dream, and the campaign photos were to die for.
Headlining Glastonbury (2024)
For an artist who grew up idolizing the Pyramid Stage, this was a full-circle moment. Dua’s Glastonbury set was a mix of choreography, emotion, and pyrotechnic sparkle—proof she’s not just a playlist favorite but a world-class performer built for stadiums.
It was a cultural reset. Dua Lipa, the girl who moved back to London at 15 with a dream, had officially conquered the world’s biggest stage.