GOLDEN HOUR: HOW DUA LIPA TRANSFORMED THE CHAPLIN GALA INTO A FASHION SPECTACLE
In a breathtaking display of avant-garde elegance that only a true fashion icon could command, Dua Lipa cast an enchanting spell on the red carpet at Monday’s prestigious 50th Chaplin Gala in New York City. The pop sensation arrived in sartorial splendor to honor the visionary Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar, turning the hallowed halls of Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall into her personal runway.
The “Houdini” hitmaker’s ensemble—a masterful creation from Daniel Roseberry’s Fall/Winter 2025 ready-to-wear collection for Schiaparelli—was nothing short of spectacular. The semisheer textured maxi dress featured an audacious plunging neckline that cascaded into a series of provocative oval cutouts, each one fastidiously secured with gilded buttons that caught the light with every graceful movement. The dress’s long sleeves expanded dramatically at the wrists, creating a silhouette both architectural and ethereal.
Most captivating was the garment’s diamond-shaped cutout pattern that adorned the fabric from collar to hem, offering strategic glimpses of the star’s luminous skin beneath. In a delightful moment of sartorial audacity, Lipa’s belly-button jewelry peeked coquettishly through one of the openings, adding an unexpected element of personal expression to the high-fashion moment.
The Grammy-winning artist’s footwear choice was equally considered—black and gold Schiaparelli pumps plucked directly from the Fall 2025 runway. These sumptuous creations featured rich velvet uppers with distinctive triangular toes accentuated by gleaming gold striations. The thick velvet straps positioned deliberately across the tops of her feet provided both stability and style, complementing the dress’s dramatic sensibility.
Lipa’s accessories elevated the ensemble from merely striking to utterly unforgettable. A substantial choker-style necklace—a surrealist masterpiece featuring a deconstructed face that appeared to melt languidly down to her décolletage—commanded attention. This extraordinary piece was adorned with lustrous white teardrop pearls and brilliant crystals that caught and refracted the camera flashes. Completing the jewelry story were show-stopping earrings with oversized golden lips that released a cascade of pearls, creating dynamic movement with every turn of her head.
Her beauty look struck the perfect balance of sophistication and edge. Her raven tresses, parted meticulously down the middle, fell in a sleek waterfall down her back. Her makeup featured boldly defined brows and lips enhanced with a high-shine gloss, creating a luminous counterpoint to the structural elements of her ensemble.
The star-studded gala, a critical fundraising event celebrating cinema’s most illustrious talents, drew an impressive constellation of luminaries including cultural provocateur John Waters, film scholar Richard Peña, the captivating Carla Gugino, and ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Throughout the evening, Lipa carried a black Schiaparelli clutch embellished with an artistic golden splatter—a final stroke of brilliance to an already exceptional look curated by her trusted stylist Lorenzo Posocco.
In an industry where sartorial boundaries are constantly being redefined, Dua Lipa’s appearance at the Chaplin Gala stands as a testament to her evolving status as a fashion risk-taker whose bold choices consistently translate into red carpet triumphs. With this appearance, she has once again demonstrated that in the realm where music and fashion intersect, she reigns supreme—fearless, fascinating, and forever forward.
