This is Mother Monsters World, and We're Just Living in It!
by Javier Gomez, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
by Javier Gomez, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
In honor of Women’s History Month, and Lady Gaga Birthday Month, I wanted to highlight a woman that saved my life and has become a beacon of hope for all of us. Her name is Lady Gaga. This trailblazing icon has been the center of the stage for over a decade. Considered to be one of the most versatile, captivating, and ingenious divas of the 21st century, Lady Gaga has arrested our hearts. She has not only set her position in the world as a songwriter with a killer voice, quintessential performer, and notworthy actress, but also she is a queer idol and advocate, mental health activist, and fashion icon.
Lady Gaga has been an inspiration to my activism, my personal life, and my work. When I was first introduced to her in 9th grade via her album ‘ARTPOP’, I instantly became a Little Monster, the title of her fanbase. Throughout the years, my love for her has grown exponentially. Her philosophies, values, and ideas all have motivated me to get help and become the best version of myself. Her albums Born This Way, Joanne, and Chromatica all have aided me and pushed me to overcome tribulations in my life—while feeling empowered doing so.
Apart from her music and acting roles, she has become a worldwide fashion phenomenon. From her eccentric meat dress to her bulletproof Schiapparelli gown, here are my highlights of Gaga’s most iconic (and my favorite) looks throughout her active career! Hope you enjoy and stream her newest albums, Chromatica and Love for Sale, nominated at this year’s Grammys.
Lady Gaga has been an inspiration to my activism, my personal life, and my work. When I was first introduced to her in 9th grade via her album ‘ARTPOP’, I instantly became a Little Monster, the title of her fanbase. Throughout the years, my love for her has grown exponentially. Her philosophies, values, and ideas all have motivated me to get help and become the best version of myself. Her albums Born This Way, Joanne, and Chromatica all have aided me and pushed me to overcome tribulations in my life—while feeling empowered doing so.
Apart from her music and acting roles, she has become a worldwide fashion phenomenon. From her eccentric meat dress to her bulletproof Schiapparelli gown, here are my highlights of Gaga’s most iconic (and my favorite) looks throughout her active career! Hope you enjoy and stream her newest albums, Chromatica and Love for Sale, nominated at this year’s Grammys.
Meat Dress
The infamous Meat dress is possibly the most absurd and bizarre outfit Mother Monster has ever worn. I mean, who doesn’t know about the meat dress? According to HuffPost, “At the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, Lady Gaga wore a dress made entirely of beef, designed by Argentinian designer Franc Fernandez and styled by Nicola Formichetti." Gaga’s dress was met with controversy, where the dress was condemned by animal rights groups such as PETA. Yet, the most ironically empowering message behind this look was that it served as a political protest against the US military’s Don’t-ask-Don’t tell policy(The act prohibited any homosexual male, lesbian, or bisexual from disclosing their sexual orientation while serving in the United States armed forces.) Anomalous as it is, it has become a symbol of Mother’s fashion legacy and political activism throughout her active career.
One of the most pivotal turning points in Gaga’s career, the meat dress has become a staple in who we define Lady Gaga as. Even if the dress was a carnivore’s dream, it was also a high-fashion lover’s dream. The definite structure of the dress with the tail, and the beefy boots creates a delicious, yet symbolic attire that earned its own Wikipedia page. The contrast between the saturated red meat to the bubbly, lavender wig really adds a tasteful, couture feel. The heavy diamonds accessorize and dramatize the outfit, yet somehow stabilizes it to have this perfect ratio between meat to fashion. What’s even more thrilling about this look is that it has a strong political message. In an interview with Ellen televised through BillBoard, she explains the controversy behind the look: “‘If we don’t stand up for what we believe in, if we don’t fight for our rights, pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones.“ Iconic is just an understatement. |
Camp 2019
CAMP! What does Camp mean to you?
Gaga’s Camp 4-1 look at the Met Gala 2019 was undeniably delicious. She showed up in a gargantuan hot pink Brandon Maxwell gown, completed with a cascading train and match bow. But she wasn’t done. Gaga then proceeded to gear into any Drag Queen’s reveal fascination with four outfit changes on the Met Gala’s very OWN pink carpet. First, she took off her giant pink cape that revealed a properly-tailored dress with a side ruffle skirt; an homage to the Victorian era, if you will. Afterwards, she reveals a sultry hot pink gown completed with a giant black cell phone! Was this a reference to her song 911? Lastly, to end the theatrics and reveal her campiest couture, she stripped down to her bra, fishnets, and underwear--reminiscent of early Gaga! |
My take paragraph:
Gaga is quintessential CAMP. I consider her to be the queen of camp, alongside her other marvelous titles. Her “seriously” outlandish looks have landed her the ability to call herself a fashion icon. This theatrical journey was seriously fun and new. Reveals, if done correctly, can create suspense in a good way. Gaga understands her audience and makes them want more. And truthfully, she never disappoints. From this cutesy, voluminous pink gown/cape to this vampy haute couture dress, Lady Gaga ate this down; left the plate wiped clean. Her flamboyance is one for the books.
Gaga is quintessential CAMP. I consider her to be the queen of camp, alongside her other marvelous titles. Her “seriously” outlandish looks have landed her the ability to call herself a fashion icon. This theatrical journey was seriously fun and new. Reveals, if done correctly, can create suspense in a good way. Gaga understands her audience and makes them want more. And truthfully, she never disappoints. From this cutesy, voluminous pink gown/cape to this vampy haute couture dress, Lady Gaga ate this down; left the plate wiped clean. Her flamboyance is one for the books.
Jo Calderone
Arguably one of the MOST iconic outfits/personas for Lady Gaga’s career: Jo Calderone. Joe Calderone is a fictional male alter-ego created in 2010. Jo made his debut appearance in the “You and I” music video, with his performance causing an uproar in Little Monsters. He then performed at the VMAs, which showed his true purpose as an anti-spectacle and anti-obscurantism, a hyperbolic opposition to Lady Gaga’s demeanor. Seen with a pale white T-shirt, blazer, and slacks, Calderone became a primary icon of the Born This Way Era.
My take paragraph: Jo Calderone has irrevocably become one of my favorite projects Lady Gaga has ever done. Her method acting that made her stay in character for three days made this alter ego highly impressive. Her chameleon-esque imagination is so pungent in Jo, that it was a departure from the norm that set a sweet taste in critics’ mouths. The greasy, dirty, wrinkled look mimicked was quintessential jersey boy. Gaga truly pushed her creative ability to the max. |
Lady Gaga has become an inspiration to only me, but millions of people around the world. She has saved lives with her anthemic albums. She has created a haven both in Hollywood and the media to be our truest selves. Her career is just beginning, and I cannot wait to see what eccentric, obscure, and wholesome outfits she’ll bring back to the red carpets.