Key takeaways
- Dua Lipa wore an S-shaped French twist updo at the October 29 WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards, a rare formal hairstyle choice for the performer who typically favors loose waves and high ponytails.
- Her hairstylist positioned the updo directly under an oversized Chanel statement hat, demonstrating how restrained hair styling can support an outfit rather than compete with it.
- Statement hats may be staging a comeback, with both Dua Lipa and Elle Fanning sporting them within the same week, potentially signaling 'whimsy' as a 2027 trend for hair and accessories.
At the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards on October 29, Dua Lipa demonstrated a side of her beauty aesthetic rarely seen in public: a formal, structured updo positioned directly beneath an oversized Chanel statement hat. The couture suit and statement millinery were clearly the main event, but what Allure observed was the deliberate styling strategy that positioned the hair as a supporting player. For someone whose signature looks revolve around loose waves and casual high ponytails, this marked a significant departure in her red carpet approach.
Breaking Her Usual Pattern
Loose Waves and High Ponytails
Dua Lipa is known for embracing loose, flowing hair on the red carpet. Waves catch light and move with her; high ponytails feel youthful and contemporary. A structured updo, particularly one as formal and refined as a French twist, simply doesn’t figure into her typical rotation. But the Future Nostalgia singer loves a well-timed beauty surprise, and this was precisely that.
Strategic Restraint
The updo wasn’t a random choice; it was born from a clear styling logic. Her team recognized that free-flowing long hair would visually compete with the bold Chanel ensemble, especially given the prominence of the statement hat. By pulling the hair into a structured updo, they eliminated that visual competition and allowed the outfit to dominate. This kind of restraint in hair styling, where one chooses not to emphasize the hair, often proves more impactful than elaborate or voluminous choices.
The Technical Execution
French Twist with an Edge
The construction of the updo showcases impressive technical skill. Drawing inspiration from the French twist, a classic formal style where hair is elegantly rolled, the stylist created a variation that added contemporary movement. Instead of the traditional tight roll, the hair swooped and swirled into an S-shaped curve, a sculptural element that prevented the style from feeling dated or overly rigid.
Precision Placement
The twist was positioned at the center of her head, carefully placed to provide the statement hat with ample room while maintaining the updo’s structural integrity. Throughout the evening, not a single hair strayed from its intended position, demonstrating both the skill of application and the holding power of the products used. The dark hair caught the light along its curves, creating subtle dimension and texture within the structured shape.
Old Elegance Meets Modern Edge
The combination of elements embodies a modern luxury aesthetic: the collision of old-school elegance and a contemporary edge. The Chanel couture construction and architectural hat speak to formal refinement, while the unexpected S-curve of the updo brings an almost punk-spirit quality to the composition. Neither element overwhelms; instead, they work in concert. The hairstyle doesn’t try to be the hero; it’s designed to support the outfit and create a cohesive whole. This kind of collaborative styling approach, where every component serves the larger vision, is what separates a red carpet appearance from one that becomes a reference point for beauty professionals and fashion observers.
Statement Hats Stage a Comeback
Royal Precedent
Statement hats occupy an unusual space in contemporary red carpet fashion. They appear regularly in royal contexts, particularly with the Princess of Wales, who seems to have mastered the intricate coordination of hat-and-hairstyle pairings. They show up at the Met Gala, where experimental fashion is expected. But in typical red carpet scenarios, they remain relatively rare.
Signs of a Trend
Dua Lipa’s choice, therefore, stands out as notably striking. Even more telling, Elle Fanning appeared in a statement hat during the same week while promoting the new Hunger Games film. This repetition within a short window suggests that the accessory might be staging a genuine comeback. If this trend solidifies, 2027 could see “whimsy” emerge as a defining aesthetic principle for hair, makeup, and accessories across celebrity fashion.
The Power of Orchestration
The success of this look rests on coordination across multiple levels. The hat’s proportions had to align with the proportions of her face and the space beneath it. The hairstyle had to possess enough structural integrity to maintain its shape throughout a full red carpet event without loosening or shifting. The outfit had to feel complete without becoming visually overwhelming. Orchestrating these elements simultaneously, ensuring that each serves the composition rather than competing within it, is what separates professional styling from experimental choices. Dua Lipa’s Chanel moment demonstrates this orchestration perfectly.
Source: Allure
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Dua Lipa's hairstyle at the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards?
The updo drew inspiration from the classic French twist but featured an S-shaped curve instead of a traditional roll. Her hairstylist created this variation to add contemporary movement while allowing the oversized Chanel statement hat to be the focal point of the look.
Why is this hairstyle unusual for Dua Lipa?
Dua Lipa typically wears loose waves and high ponytails on the red carpet, so appearing in a structured, formal updo was a significant departure from her signature aesthetic. The choice was strategic, designed to prevent her hair from competing with the bold Chanel couture ensemble.
Are statement hats becoming a trend on the red carpet?
According to Allure, statement hats remain rare on the red carpet outside of royal occasions and the Met Gala. However, Dua Lipa and Elle Fanning both wore them within the same week in late October, suggesting the accessory might experience a comeback, potentially making 'whimsy' a defining aesthetic for 2027 hair, makeup, and accessories.
