Dua Lipa Pairs Literary Festival Talks With Statement Boots and Prada Feather Pumps

Dua Lipa pairs literary talk with statement shoes

Dua Lipa’s two appearances at the London Literature Festival put fashion alongside the conversation. She discussed books with novelist Zadie Smith and poet Mustafa, then changed her footwear between panels. The contrast is the point: one look leaned on sharply tailored black boots, while the other made white feathered pumps the outfit’s focal point. The shoes helped give each appearance its own visual character without needing a full change in direction.

At the Royal Festival Hall on Oct. 24, 2026, Lipa spoke with Smith about her reading list and Smith’s 2000 debut novel, White Teeth. Mustafa, a longtime collaborator and friend, joined her for another discussion. For the first panel, Lipa wore Le Silla Colette knee-high boots; for the second, she switched to feather-trimmed Prada pumps. The change made footwear a through line across a day centered on books and conversation.

Boots sharpen a vivid Chanel look

The Colette’s appeal is in its silhouette: angular toes, polished lambskin uppers and winding laces that call to mind corset construction. Lipa appears to have worn the 4.7-inch version, with a slim stiletto heel and nappa leather sole. Le Silla lists the boot at $1,733, with several color and heel options. Its height and lacing give the style a strong outline, while the polished leather keeps the effect controlled.

That choice fits a pattern. Lipa has worn Le Silla onstage for her Radical Optimism tour and at events, including the brand’s Shirley sandals, Amelia pumps and Belen sandals. She’s also appeared in the label’s ready-to-wear styles, among them Shirley sandals. The repeat appearances suggest a working relationship with the label’s range, from evening shoes to boots with a more assertive profile.

The black boots also set up a sharp color contrast with Lipa’s Chanel fall 2026 outfit: a vivid red look in textured fabric, finished with dark red faux-fur trim at the sleeves and hips. Its fit moved between slouchy and close-cut. Geometric studs stood out against her slicked-back bun. The styling distributes attention across color, texture and shape, so the boots anchor the look rather than compete with its red fabric and trim.

Feathers put Prada in the foreground

For the Mustafa conversation, the shoes took over. Lipa’s Prada pumps had white satin uppers buried beneath faux feathers from toe to heel, with pointed toes, lace-up fronts, silver hardware and short stiletto heels. Priced at $2,450, they mix softness and ornament with a lace-up detail that gives the otherwise theatrical shoes a faintly sporty edge. That balance is more interesting than the feathers alone: a familiar fastening adds structure to a shoe built to attract attention.

Prada, head to toe

The shoes weren’t an isolated statement: Dua Lipa paired her white Prada feather pumps with a matching black nylon tank and midi skirt. The fabric’s sheen and close fit kept the look sleek, while embroidered floral Prada socks added a softer detail. Against the dark set, the white feathers would naturally draw the eye, while the socks extend the styling down to the ankle (and this is the part most people overlook). Small accessories can make a highly directional shoe feel connected to the rest of an outfit.

Lipa’s interest in books has a public outlet in her Service95 Book Club. It also shaped a personal turning point: she met her now-husband, Callum Turner, by chance over a book. The couple’s wedding attire has drawn attention too. The link between reading and romance gives this London Literature Festival appearance a little more resonance than a standard celebrity fashion moment. Here’s the thing: the event’s setting and Lipa’s existing book club make the literary context feel connected to her public identity, not just a backdrop for the clothes.

What the two looks signal

The footwear shifts show how a celebrity appearance can use accessories to distinguish separate conversations without changing the basic format of the day. The boots bring height, shine and a firm outline; the pumps introduce texture and a more playful silhouette. This is more significant than it looks. A shoe choice can set the tone of an outfit before a viewer registers the finer details, especially when the rest of the styling gives it room to stand out.

If you're working in fashion, the useful point is how the looks balance statement pieces with recognizable styling cues: lacing appears in both pairs, but the materials and proportions take them in different directions. That said, the shoes are still luxury products with prices that place them beyond most shoppers’ reach. The visual ideas are easier to borrow than the exact pieces. A single contrast in texture or shape can do much of the work. A small change, with a clear effect.

For more footwear looks, browse Dua Lipa’s best red carpet shoe moments.