SUPERSTAR DUA LIPA SHINES AS A TRUE FASHION ICON ON THE BEACHES !

The first time I saw and heard the British singer Dua Lipa was in a video on TV.  It doesn't happen often, but the way she moves, her elegance, her beauty, her beautiful mezzo-soprano voice and her catchy music simply left me speechless. A real instant "wow" effect !  

Right away, I wanted to know more about this phenomenal artist.

First, her appearance, which struck me as somewhat exotic, could be explained by her true origins.

Born in London on August 22, 1995, Dua Lipa holds Albanian and Kosovar nationality due to her parents’ origins.

Hence, her beautiful caramel complexion, along with her jet-black hair and eyebrows...

Her father, Dukagjin Lipa (born March 5, 1969), a marketing director and lead singer of the Kosovar rock band Oda, and her mother, Anesa Lipa (born June 28, 1972), a travel agent, left the city of Pristina, Kosovo, in 1992 to move to the United Kingdom, escaping the wars in Yugoslavia.

Dua, their eldest daughter, was named on the suggestion of her Bosnian maternal grandmother. In Albanian, Dua means “love” or “I love.” It’s a charming and fitting name, especially now, seeing how adored this young woman is by such a vast audience around the world.

Before signing with the American label Warner Records in 2014 and releasing her debut studio album, *Dua Lipa*, on June 2, 2017, the popular singer-songwriter worked as a model for the ASOS website at just 16 years old.

This experience was short-lived, as she quit when one of the site’s managers suggested she lose weight. However, her modeling training, height (1.73 m), weight of around 58 to 60 kg, and measurements (36-26-35 or 91.5-66-89 cm) showed her that she truly had the talent and physique for the job, something that would later be confirmed.

In 2013, at just 18 years old, Dua appeared in a commercial for the show "The X Factor," adding acting to her list of talents—a skill that would prove valuable later in her entertainment career.

The rest is history: an incredible musical journey filled with platinum records, hugely successful tours, five Brit Awards, an MTV Music Award, an American Music Award, an iHeartRadio Music Award, and three Grammy Awards.

She holds Guinness World Records for selling the most tickets to a live concert by a solo female artist in 2020 and for having the most monthly listeners on Spotify for a female artist in 2021.

Her modeling career kicked off in 2017-18 with a partnership with MAC Cosmetics for a lip gloss line, and appearances in Patrizia Pepe’s autumn/winter and spring/summer campaigns.  Since 2021, her influence in fashion, beauty products, and luxury brands has skyrocketed, alongside an even more remarkable rise in the music industry.

In 2021-22, she is a global ambassador for the PUMA brand, in particular for the Flutur collection (sneakers, clothing, accessories.

The following year, things took off ! Dua became the muse and official face of the Libre perfume for the prestigious Yves Saint Laurent Beauty house, starring in international campaigns from 2023 to 2026.

She is also welcomed as a creative collaborator and muse of the famous designer Donatella Versace.  She created the "La Vacanza" collection with her and participated in numerous campaigns (ready-to-wear, bags, red carpet looks).

In 2025-26, Chanel named her ambassador for haute couture products and accessories, including Chanel 25 bag.  Dua made an appearance and caught attention at the Paris Fashion Week 2026 shows.  She also teamed up as co-creator of a skincare line with Augustinus Bader in the beauty and well-being category.

 

The Queen of Pop also serves as a global ambassador, showcasing Bulgari’s jewelry, Nespresso coffee, and Evian water.  And the list will probably keep getting longer...

The singer behind the super hit "Houdini" is also making waves in the swimwear industry, and not just as an Instagram sensation with 90 million followers.  She creates, models, and promotes swimwear through her collaborations with Versace, making it one of the most prominent aspects of her fashion influence.

Multiple photos and videos often show her in swimsuits on several of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  It makes you think she’s always on vacation, but she insists she works all the time !

The truth is, between shows on her major musical tours, she enjoys swimming with her loved ones.

The "Versace x Dua Lipa" collection features bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, and full beach sets with matching mini-skirts, light shirts, sarongs, and seaside ensembles.  It offers a variety of shapes, styles, motifs, colors, and textures.

In short, Dua Lipa is one of the most brilliant artists of her generation. Her versatility is incredible. She’s not only the queen of pop music, but also a talented actress, an original designer, and a highly sought-after luxury ambassador.

Her recent wedding to British actor Callum Turner in London, followed by celebrations in Palermo, Sicily, with nearly 300 guests, was truly amazing. However, it’s fair to say the people of Palermo didn’t exactly enjoy being overrun and felt offended by the horde of wealthy visitors who came to disrupt their peace. 

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Dua Lipa has played a role in shaping and elevating women's swimwear, including the bikini, through her stylish collaboration with Versace.

The bikini’s history stretches back to ancient times, long before it was reinvented in 1946 by French engineer Louis Réard.

I share this captivating story on my blog, Bikini and Pom Pom Girls.

In one of my recent articles on the subject, we travel back to 1962, when the stunning actress Ursula Andress lit up the screen by emerging from the sea in a beautiful white bikini in the movie "James Bond 007 vs. Dr. No." (https://bikiniandpompomgirls.blogspot.com/2026/02/history-of-bikini-ursula-andress.html).

BEACH, BIKINI, WATER SPORTS AND SYDNEY SWEENEY GO WELL TOGETHER...

For "Stars on Beach," the renowned actress Sydney Sweeney makes an ideal subject. Growing up near Lake Pend Oreille, on the Wahington-Idaho border, she naturally embraced beachside relaxation and water sports in a bikini.  She always cherishes her favorite moments, especially when she's splashing around in the water. 

She shared the tale : «I grew up on the water, always running around in a bikini.  If I wasn't swimming in the lake or the ocean, I was skiing or attempting to surf.  So there was always a part of me that wanted to create something that truly felt like me».

This is why the Emmy-nominated star wanted to work on a project that truly reflected her authentic self in a stylish way. So, when Francesca Aiello, the founder of the bikini brand Frankies Bikinis, reached out to collaborate on a swimwear collection called Love Letters, Sweeney was thrilled.  «With Francesca and her incredible company, we really created something special».

Sydney Sweeney focused on both style and functionality while designing her swimsuit collection with Frankies Bikinis. She aimed to create outfits suitable for every setting. In an interview with Glamour magazine, she said, "If I'm at the beach, I want tiny little straps and cute colors. If I'm at the lake, I want support so I can jump off any rock without worrying about my boobs falling out."  

Over the years, fans have enjoyed plenty of bikini moments from their favorite actress. The star regularly shares photos on Instagram, showcasing a variety of swimwear styles. From vibrant floral patterns to daring D-ring designs, it seems there's no look she hasn't explored. 

Sydney, who turned 28 on Sept. 12, often posts beach photos on social media, showcasing year-end snapshots and birthday celebrations with a variety of swimsuits and stunning coastal views. She recently relocated to an oceanfront estate in Florida, near the Keys, where she's been seen soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean.

She has shared videos of herself kitesurfing, including a few wipeouts, showcasing her adventurous spirit and love for challenging water sports. At her Florida home, she’s also been riding jet skis and banana boats.

She said something about water-skiing : «It's a rare moment when I can actually just hear myself breathing, where everything else goes quiet» (...) «You get tired really fast.  I see such a change in my body after an entire summer of skiing.  My arms are stronger, more sculpted.  My abs are rock solid».

Sydney Sweeney has a complicated and often tense connection with water, the beach, and swimsuits, largely because of harassment from paparazzi. Although she enjoys vacations by the water, her privacy has been deeply invaded by photographers who target and exploit her in swimwear.

  

She recounted how paparazzi in kayaks hid in the bushes near her oceanfront home and stayed there for hours, refusing to leave.

In an October 2024 interview with Glamour, Sweeney shared unsettling experiences with photographers who harassed her and her family at their Florida home. : «They said, "If you tell her to just come outside in a bikini, I'll take pictures and then I'll leave you alone"».

The harassment resulted in her location being exposed, with tour boats cruising past her house and guides announcing, "This is Sydney Sweeney's house." She expressed her frustration, saying, "It’s turned into a star tour in my front yard... I should be able to feel comfortable and safe in my own home."

Sydney Sweeney has used swimsuit posts to challenge body-shaming and advocate for body positivity. In December 2024, after facing a wave of negative comments on social media about her bikini photos, she responded powerfully. She shared a montage of the harsh posts paired with a video of her boxing training for a role, captioning it, "Christy Martin Strong."

Sydney shared her journey of embracing her body.  As a teenager, she felt insecure and "ostracized" about her appearance, even considering a breast reduction at 18, but her mother convinced her otherwise. She used to hide her figure under oversized clothes. Now, she radiates confidence and hopes to inspire young girls by showing them that their bodies are beautiful and empowering.

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Bold, ambitious, and unapologetic, Sydney Sweeney is carving out her own unique path. (https://bellesacroquer.blogspot.com/2025/09/sydney-sweeney-une-provocante-qui-sait.html)

             

SUPERSTAR BILLIE EILISH GIVES THE WORLD A RARE LOOK AT HER BIKINI STYLE ON A BEACH IN BARCELONA.

It is surprising, as she is widely recognized for her signature oversized style, influenced by her struggles with physical appearance and body image.

Only two years ago, in an interview with Vogue magazine, she discussed how the body shaming and negative comments she endured in the past continue to affect her, even to this day.  She achieved fame at the age of 14 due to the extraordinary success of her song "Ocean Eyes" in 2015.

However, she struggled to cope with her sudden fame, experiencing a prolonged adolescent crisis. She did not perceive herself as beautiful, describing herself as chubby and poorly proportioned.

Sensitive to public scrutiny and negative comments about her appearance and unusual behavior, she endured a prolonged period of depression, often isolating herself by staying confined to her parents' house in Los Angeles.

This era of profound darkness, despite the remarkable successes of her early musical career, was mirrored in the somber themes and melancholy present in her songs.  Feelings of illness and persistent suicidal thoughts tormented her mind to such an extent that she was convinced she would not live to see her 17th birthday.  Fortunately, her mother lessened the demands of her rigorous touring schedule and ensured she had access to therapy.

And one day she awoke to the realization that she had become excessively isolated, prompting her to make a concerted effort to engage in what she refers to as "human activities."  Going out with friends, playing sports with them, having fun, was beneficial for her.  Laughter became her therapy. 

Despite enduring ongoing online scrutiny, Billie Eilish remains committed to the journey of self-acceptance. While she has repeatedly acknowledged the impact of hurtful comments on her well-being, she continues to work on prioritizing her own emotions over the opinions of others, highlighting the significance of self-love and resilience.

She recently said : «the older I get, there really have been many periods of doubt and fear and feeling so much pressure, and then when more people knew me, more people had something to say.  It was hard to remember to trust myself or even believe in myself sometimes.  It's still a process.  I think I'm doing pretty good.  

I've also always been very strong-willed and very much myself, so I do think that plays a part.  I am undeniably who I am, and I have absolutely no other choice, and sometimes it feels like a burden - but I happen to also like that girl.  Although it does feel at times definitely inescapable.  I will say I've really grown to like who I am a lot at this point.  Thank God.  With exceptions...»

Billie Eilish, of Irish and Scottish heritage, has grown significantly since her challenging teenage years. She firmly rejects being confined to a single label or a stereotypical, prejudiced category.  «Over time it's kind of become a thing "Billie Eilish, the creepy, weird, scary girl".  And I don't like that.  It's lame.  I just don't want to stay one thing.»

Eilish is truly an original artist. Her vocal style is unparalleled, and her stage presence is remarkably distinctive, especially for a young woman. She shattered the mold and defied the stereotype that defined the "sexy" singers of the preceding generation. 

But as much in her clothing style as in her musical style, she is not one-dimensional.  She acts according to her desires while staying authentic to herself and the experiences that have shaped her since birth.  She is adamant about preserving an air of mystery regarding her personal affairs, particularly her romantic life.

Having emerged from the isolation of her adolescence, Billie utilized her celebrity and the significant influence of her remarkable musical career to actively engage in causes close to her heart, striving to transform a world in need of change.  «There could have easily been a world without me, but since I'm in the world, I am going to try to help people and be impactful and change things that have been in place for so long and are so outdated.»

She has been outspoken about environmental issues, particularly raising awareness of climate change.

She is an active advocate on social media, promoting animal rights and veganism.

She criticized the sexual exploitation of young women, particularly by men in positions of power over them.

Eilish aligns herself with the U.S. abortion rights movement and expressed her anger when Texas enacted its anti-abortion laws in 2021.

She advocated for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

Last year, she, along with her brother and artistic collaborator Finneas, endorsed Kamala Harris for the 2024 United States presidential election.

Billie has frequently addressed the topic of women's rights in her speeches and statements.  She wrote and produced the 2020 short film "Not My Responsibility" in response to body shaming directed at her and the double standards imposed on women's appearances.

Her struggle against body shaming empowered her to overcome this challenge.  This is why we started witnessing her confidently appearing in public wearing a bikini, as seen two years ago on her friend Annabel Zimmer's Instagram account and again last year during the Fourth of July celebrations.

She has once again made headlines in Barcelona, donning a red string bikini during her vacation as she prepares to resume her European Tour, "Hit Me Hard and," next month.

Here she is performing the song that made her famous (Ocean Eyes) with Lana Del Rey, who was a big influence in her career.