Dua Lipa rarely wears an updo. The musician is all about loose waves and high ponytails, but rarely do we ever see her in a capital-u Updo, like a French twist or a classic chignon. But the Future Nostalgia singer loves a well-timed beauty surprise, and for the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards on October 29, we couldn’t help but notice a pitch-perfect updo tucked under the giant Chanel hat.
Lipa’s Chanel couture suit and matching hat were definitely the stars of the show, so wearing her hair long and loose would have competed with the statement-making ensemble. Thus, she and her hairstylist decided on a sleek, sophisticated updo placed just so beneath said statement hat, which was a fun collision of old-school elegance and a punky spirit—basically the definition of this new era of Chanel. Lipa’s dark hair was gathered up like a French twist, but instead of the traditional roll shape, it swooped and swirled into an “S” shape. The twist was placed directly at the center of her head to allow plenty of space for the hat, and not a hair was out of place. So glamorous!
You’ve gotta watch Lipa’s updo in motion to get the full effect of suit, hat, and hairstyle—the kind of synergy that makes a major red carpet moment memorable.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Dua Lipa attends the WSJ. Magazine 2026 Innovator Awards at MOMA on October 29, 2026 in New York City. (Footage by Henry Santana/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine)Henry Santana/Getty Images
Such hats aren’t super common on the red carpet, which is another reason Lipa’s updo-and-chapeau combo is so charming. We typically see this interplay on royals like the Princess of Wales, who practically has a PhD in hat-and-hairstyle pairings, or during the Met Gala. But could statement hats be poised for a comeback? We did spot another one on Elle Fanning this week as she promoted the new Hunger Games movie, so perhaps “whimsy” will be the big buzzword for 2027 hair, makeup, and accessories.
