On the heels of Dua Lipa’s appearance in the front row at the Chanel spring 2025 couture show in Paris, Vogue exclusively unveils her debut as the face of the house’s new hobo handbag: the Chanel 25. The campaign features the star dancing, running, and singing through the streets of New York, set against a soundtrack of the Fine Young Cannibals’ 1988 hit “She Drives Me Crazy.”
A direct descendant of the revolutionary 2.55—which, at 70, remains one of the most sought-after handbags in the world—the Chanel 25 mirrors its time. The bag is crafted in supple, lightweight quilted leather, and the medium and large sizes come with a handy clutch that also can be worn solo, depending on the occasion.
Lipa’s ties to Chanel date back to 2018 when, as a rising star, she turned to the grande dame of Parisian couture houses for an outfit to wear during a performance at the Grammy Museum in LA. As Vogue noted at the time, on anyone else that little white sweater set could have “veered into country-club territory,” but Lipa, who’s known for her eclectic sense of style, gave it a charismatic twist with a body chain and a Chanel choker. Five years later, in 2023, she donned three Chanel looks for her role as the co-chair of the Met Gala tribute to Karl Lagerfeld. Most recently, in November, her Radical Optimism tour got underway in Asia with custom looks by Chanel, notably black and white sequinned and pleated tulle jumpsuits with tweed braids, and a smocked tulle dress with white sequins and black leather.
Following this week’s Chanel show, Lipa sat down in the VIP lounge to chat about her love of colour, her first-ever Chanel purchase, and which Chanel 25 bag is her “drug of choice,” among other things.
The Chanel spring 2025 couture collection brought a rainbow of colours and ideas. What was your takeaway?
Dua Lipa: I loved it, and I felt like the models really loved what they were wearing. There were pops of colour throughout, I thought it was really fun. I particularly love the buttery yellow shirtdress. I’m always drawn to things that are yellow—not necessarily things I would wear, but in this case, I was like, ‘oh the romance!’ That dress is something I could see myself in, it’s so cool it’s like almost rock-and-roll. There’s a whole day-to-night vibe. And the red dress with the black belt, too. I could maybe add boots to toughen those up a bit, make them my own. The tweed looks were really beautiful as well, but those felt different.
You’re often described as having an eclectic style. How would you describe it?
It’s just… fun. I do have a very eclectic style: My everyday stuff is just me going great and mad. It’s whatever feels good, which really depends on the day. Most of the time, I love a good pair of denim. What’s underneath is easy. Then I consider a bag or a jacket as the main part of my wardrobe.
How do your roots affect the way you dress?
Well, I traveled around a lot as a child, living in London, then I moved to Kosovo, and then I moved back to London. So, I think in that sense I’m very used to being on the move and adapting. I can do all kinds of different colours, all kinds of different styles. I think that informs the way I work, the way I dress, the kind of music I make. I don’t really have one defining thing, and I always love collaborating with those who maybe people don’t expect me to. That’s what’s fun about it. There’s nothing too big or too daring. I’m ready to try it all. I’m not a uniform person at all.
What’s it like to become a part of the Chanel family?
It’s amazing. You know, when I first signed my record deal in 2014, I left my job in a restaurant, and when I got my first big check, I went to the Chanel store. The first thing I bought was a Boy bag, it was all the rage. I was so proud. Later, I went and got a leather backpack. I think just the idea of being able to do that for myself was such an empowering thing. Like, wow, I bought that Chanel bag with my own money. I felt really proud of myself. For me, it carried a lot of independence. So, this campaign feels quite full circle for me.
So which Chanel 25 did you choose to add to your collection?
I’m definitely a “big bag” kind of girl: I put my whole life into it. I love to run around with big bags even at night because I prep for anything. My friends can ask for something and I’m like, don’t worry, I’ve got it, it’s in my bag. I’m in love with the 25 because I think it’s cool and timeless, and I can put my whole life in there.
Which size and colour?
I love the black vibe because it goes with everything, but right now my drug of choice would be the silver one. I got one the other day and it already has all my stuff in it. It’s really bold, and now it’s my everyday bag.
Tell us about shooting this campaign.
We had a lot of fun doing that video. I just I loved running around New York. I loved working with [director] Gordon von Steiner. There was just this freeness about it; they basically said, just have fun. So we danced around and the energy on set was beautiful. It’s like when I get on stage, I just feed off the crowd. And here, with the team, it was just fun and free. Now, when I watch the video, I think that really shines through.
Let’s talk about the Fine Young Cannibals: that song was a hit years before you were born. Did you know it before you sang it in this campaign?
Yes, I did sort of know it, but now I know all the lyrics. I love it: I think it added to the energy–there’s this youthfulness and energy about it—she drives me crazy—you just want to let loose.
Which brings us to your album, Radical Optimism. How do you apply that to everyday life?
I think it’s just rolling with the punches. No matter what, there’s going to be ups and downs. I think as long as you keep a positive mindset and enjoy even the not-so-good bits, you learn from them. You do the most growing out of your comfort zone. So, there’s this radically optimistic side of me that’s just like, ‘oh, it’s gonna be okay.’ And whatever it is, it’s a lesson learned. So, I think applying that to everything has been a game-changer for me.
With all your success, do you still have time to go shopping just for fun?
It depends. There are certain cities where I love to go shopping, like Tokyo, Paris or New York. In some places I naturally gravitate to the stores, and then sometimes I’m like, okay, where can I go? A restaurant, a museum, a good night out? So, different cities for different things, and I feel so lucky that I get to do that.
So, you travel light?
Everything’s in that one bag.
This article was first published on Vogue.com.
