Image Courtesy of Universal Music Group
Dua Lipa’s long-awaited project “Service95” launches today, a “style, culture, and society concierge service created to help the reader make sense of the world” that will serve the readers with a personal curation of lists, recommendations, stories, information, thoughts, perspectives and conversations from the singer herself. Inspired by the singer’s lifelong habit of creating extensive recommendations and lists for her friends and family, the launch of her newsletter and podcast is an open door for everyone to join her inner circle. Sharing her favourite tips and spots as she travels around the world, the free weekly newsletter will also include articles to bring a spotlight on activists, causes and complex world issues that need more learning and understanding. Accompanying the newsletter is her podcast “At Your Service,” where you can tune in to listen to Dua and (assumably) a long list of recognisable names tick off a wide range of topics from deep to more lighthearted. To top it off for all the fans, each week will be signed off with a personal letter where the singer will report from wherever she may be, sharing everything from what she’s been “streaming, visiting, hearing and consuming.”
SLEEK caught up with Dua Lipa to find out more about “Service95” and what we can expect from her project.
SLEEK: It makes perfect sense for you to be the sharer of the latest news, hot spots and lesser-known topics since your work connects you with interesting people and places but curated lists or recommendations aren’t necessarily a new concept. What makes SERVICE95 different?
Dua Lipa: Service95 will be truly global, with stories and lists focusing on culture and travel and recommendations from around the world. I’m excited to offer what I know to our readers, but I’m even more excited to showcase the writers and photographers and artists whose own words and works will elevate Service95 beyond just a newsletter. Think of it as a hands-on guide, a recommendation from a friend, and a passport to corners of the world you’d never thought you’d visit, all wrapped into one.
S: Once you share your secret or special spots with the world, your secret spot won’t be a secret anymore! Aren’t you tempted to keep at least a few things to yourself?
DL: The entire reason why I’ve been dreaming of Service95 all these years is exactly as you say: sharing my “secret spots” with the world! There’s certainly no shortage of excellent restaurants, galleries, museums, venues, parks, and more out there. Even though I have my favorites, the list is always growing as I learn more, travel more, and hear more from friends and family who’ve had the chance to visit spots I’ve not yet tried. There’s real community to be found in that sort of sharing!
Image Courtesy of Universal Music Group
S: Not everyone will have the opportunity to visit location-specific suggestions. How would these subscribers enjoy your recommendations without being their physically? Will you share other sources so that everyone can experience it in some way?
DL: While Service95 will certainly highlight certain physical locations, we’ll also spotlight work and talent everyone can enjoy from home – books, films, routines. We want our readers to get to experience our recommendations in real time, as they read them, wherever in the world they may be located. Some of the lists and stories will point to tangible, hands-on experiences that you can earmark for whenever you’re in those countries and cities; others will offer up behind-the-scenes looks and listens to culture you can soak in right from the comfort of your home.
S: You mentioned that you are “personally curating extensive recommendations” constantly. I’m curious to know the extent of your note-taking/list-making habits! What started it?
DL: I mean it when I say I’ve always made lists — my phone’s notes app is filled with pages and pages of them! I think for me, part of it stems from moving to London as a teenager and wanting to share the experiences I was making there with friends and family back home; similarly, when those people in my life would travel or try things without me, I wanted to hear from them what they liked and why they liked them. For me, making those lists and getting them in return opened doors to connection and comfort and community, and still do!
To subscribe, visit service95.com.