“You have to listen to your gut, as cliché as it is.” Dua Lipa on embodying the freeing spirit in life through scent.

Across fashion, music and modern culture, Dua Lipa has achieved the golden balance. As a globally renowned, GRAMMY award-winning artist and the creator of cultural online hub Service95, no artistic block or obstacle has proven too big to stop her from achieving full creative expression. Dipping her toes into becoming the ambassador for YSL’s Libre fragrance, Lipa has found her own personal thoughts and feelings reflected in an organic way, and encapsulated in a bottle. Now, with the release of the second instalment, Libre L'Absolu, the absolute freedom of finding yourself is amplified onto the world.

Talking to Perfect about how this experience with YSL has allowed her to enjoy the process and become more in tune than ever with her artistry and personal feelings, she also reminisces the vastness of shooting across Grand Canyon, and how the true symbolism of Libre transcended with her on set, enjoying the freedom of realisation that we are all tiny elements to a much bigger planet.

Angel: How did you first get approached by YSL Beauty to collaborate?

Dua Lipa: When I first heard about the inspiration behind the campaign for Libre - this idea of freedom and empowerment – partnering with YSL just felt right. It’s really a privilege when you can collaborate with a brand that feels aligned with your personal values.

Angel: What do you remember from your experience being on set for the first Libre campaign?

Dua Lipa: Every set I’ve had the joy of being on with my YSL family has been an incredible experience. We shot between the Grand Canyon and Malibu for our first campaign together, two truly breath-taking locations, and we even had an eagle on set with us. The amazing thing about shooting in places like these is feeling how small you are in the vastness, it really grounds you.

Angel: If you had to describe the new Libre scent in one sentence, what would it be?

Dua Lipa: Confidence in a bottle.

Angel: How do you approach the world of scent, what attracts you to a specific fragrance?

Dua Lipa: I typically chose a scent based on occasion – something a bit more clean and subtle for everyday wear, maybe something bolder for a night out. Something I look for in all fragrances though are fresh, crisp notes, something that all iterations of Libre have.

Angel: How do you distinguish Libre from Libre L’absolu?

Dua Lipa: L’Absolu has everything you love about Libre and takes it up a notch. It’s a bit bolder, with hints of white lavender that gives it this warmth that I love.

Angel: As a globally recognised artist, how have you navigated prioritising freedom of expression?

Dua Lipa: Whenever I’m doing something creative, whether that be writing a song or shooting a video, I always listen to my gut. It sounds cliché, but you really have to be in tune with who you are, what you want to say and how you say it. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Angel: What is something you look forward to, both professionally and personally for the rest of this year?

Dua Lipa: I have many things I’m excited about this year, including this launch of L’Absolu. Something I’m proud of starting this year was my Service95 Book Club, a real passion project of mine. I’m just looking forward to continuing to share this other side of me and my love of reading, with fans who maybe just know me for my music. I’m grateful to have a platform that allows for this authentic extension of my passions.

All images courtesy of YSL Beauty.