Lady Gaga’s Style Evolution, From a Meat Dress to Custom Versace
Perhaps no one person has under gone more style transformations, musical or otherwise, than the one and only Lady Gaga. The pop provocateur, actress, musician, activist, and philanthropist has undergone more outfit changes than one could ever hope to achieve in a lifetime. From raw meat to prosthetic mermaid tails, Gaga’s wild ensembles run the gamut from ethereal to off-putting, sometimes in the course of one day.
Through several reinventions, Gaga has continually pushed the boundaries of art, fashion, and music throughout her career, garnering her countless record sales, multiple Grammy Awards, and worldwide recognition. Calling several designers close friends and having walked the runway for both Mugler and Marc Jacobs, as well as fronting several campaigns for Versace and Tom Ford, Gaga has some serious fashion cred. Whether she’s channeling the raw, country-infused pop rock of her album Joanne in her baby pink cowgirl hat, to the glitter-dusted club kid appeal from The Fame, or casually donning haute couture as streetwear; Gaga does it like she does everything else, with the utmost conviction and a truly incredible pair of heels. To celebrate Mother Monster, here are just some of her most fantastic looks.
2023: Maestro Premiere
Gaga suited up in embroidered Alexander McQueen to support the premiere of her A Star is Born co-star Bradley Cooper’s 2023 film Maestro.
2023: Academy Awards
The sheer-bodiced gown Gaga wore to the 95th annual Academy Awards was first worn by Gigi Hadid just days before the ceremony. She paired the sleek look with a smattering of Tiffany & Co. jewelry. The star, who was nominated for her song “Hold My Hand” from the Top Gun soundtrack, changed into casual ripped jeans and a t-shirt for her performance at the show.
2022: Grammy Awards
The singer served understated elegance in a black and white, one-shoulder Armani Privé gown at the Grammy Awards in 2022.
2022: New York Film Critics Circle Awards
This Jason Wu Collection fall 2022 strapless black dress may be the simplest look we’ve ever seen Lady Gaga wear.
2022: British Academy Film Awards
Gaga opted for this beautifully draped Ralph Lauren gown for this year’s BAFTAs in March 2022.
2022: Critics’ Choice Awards
While Alessandro Michele originally designed this dress in all black for Gucci’s Spring 2022 collection, he made a yellow version for Gaga to wear to the Critics’ Choice Awards.
2022: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Gaga looked glamorous in this white column Armani Privé with a crystal-embellished bodice at the SAG Awards in February 2022.
2021: House of Gucci Los Angeles Premiere
For the final House of Gucci premiere, Gaga went with a sparkling Valentino dress and a chin-length cut.
2021: House of Gucci New York Premiere
Gaga embraced old Hollywood glamour in this Armani Privé dress at the New York House of Gucci premiere.
2021: House of Gucci Italy Premiere
When in Milan, one wears Versace, so it makes sense for Gaga to have tapped her good friend Donatella Versace to make her a dress for the movie’s Italian premiere.
2021: House of Gucci UK Premiere
The House of Gucci press cycle could not have been without a Gucci red carpet moment, and Gaga didn’t dissapoint when she wore this purple chiffon dress from the brand’s Spring 2022 collection to the UK premiere.
2021: Joe Biden’s Inauguration
The real showstopper of this Schiaparelli gown was the gold pin Gaga wore while performing the National Anthem at President Biden’s inauguration in January 2021.
2020: MTV Video Music Awards
Gaga wore a larger-than-life Christopher John Rogers gown to accept her VMA in August 2020.
2019: Met Gala
Taking the Met Gala’s theme “Camp” to heart, Gaga stunned in a four-part Brandon Maxwell-designed look that was more like performance art than it was an outfit.
2019: Academy Awards
For her Oscar win, Gaga brought old Hollywood glam to the red carpet with this Alexander McQueen dress and a $31 million Tiffany & Co. necklace that has only been worn by three other people.
2019: Grammy Awards
Gaga wore a silver Celine by Hedi Slimane dress with a ruffled side detail to the Grammys in February 2019.
2019: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Wearing an off-white Dior Haute Couture dress from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Spring 2019 collection, Gaga attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
2019: Critics’ Choice Awards
While it’s hard to tell in the photos, this strapless Calvin Klein gown is actually a light pink color.
2019: Golden Globe Awards
Who could forget Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta at the 2019 Golden Globes in powder blue Valentino—with dyed hair to match?
2018: A Star is Born UK Premiere
This Shakespeare-inspired Alexander McQueen Fall 2013 dress that Gaga wore to A Star is Born’s UK premiere back in September 2018 does not get the recognition it deserves.
2018: A Star is Born Los Angeles Premiere
Gaga’s Givenchy Haute Couture gown was actually a nod to Barbra Streisand, who wore a similar silver dress in the 1976 version of A Star is Born.
2018: Grammy Awards
When in doubt, Gaga calls up Armani Privé for a show stopping red carpet moment.
2017: Grammy Awards
Gaga embraced the glam-rock metal babe look for her Grammy performance with Metallica.
2016: Met Gala
For the Manus x Machina, Gaga opted to wear a “circuit board” body suit from Versace.
2016: Academy Awards
This ivory Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit may be one of the most classic pieces Gaga has ever worn.
2016: Grammy Awards
Gaga went for full Bowie-glam in a custom Marc Jacobs look for the 58th Grammy Awards, where she performed a tribute to the late performer.
2015: Academy Awards
Never forget this custom, glittering Azzedine Alaia gown, and the memes Gaga sparked with those red gloves.
2014: Kennedy Center Honors
Wearing a star-spangled, custom white Valentino gown with diamante eyebrows to match, Gaga attended the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2014.
2014: Academy Awards
Gaga wore this gorgeous lavender Atelier Versace gown to the 86th Annual Academy Awards in March 2014.
2013: American Music Awards
Lady “Godiva” Gaga arrived to the American Music Awards red carpet atop a mechanical horse, wearing Atelier Versace, looking every bit like the goddess she is.
2011: CFDA Awards
The teal bob, mile-high boots, and custom Mugler dress make this a classic Gaga look.
2010: Video Music Awards
The world will never forget the infamous meat dress Gaga wore to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.
2010: Grammy Awards
This custom Armani Privé gown at the 2010 Grammys was one of Gaga’s first major red carpet moments, and yes, she wanted her hair to be the color of “piss.”
2008: Good Day New York Appearance
Lady Gaga and her “hair bow” debut on Good Day New York in 2008. Most of her costumes at this time where largely handmade.
2006: Lollapalooza
A brunette Gaga performing at Lollapalooza, in a homemade disco bra. That DIY aesthetic was only a small taste of what was to come.
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