Lady Gaga has always been a fashion icon that pushes the envelope, but recently, her style has leaned more towards Old-Hollywood glamour and sophistication. This significant evolution in her fashion choices coincides with her performance in more ‘highbrow’ projects, like her memorable role in A Star is Born, for which she garnered multiple award nominations (and secured the Oscar for Best Original Song).
But this year’s 2020 VMAs brought us the old Gaga in new trail-blazing fashion. Making multiple appearances – and bringing home five awards herself including the first ever Tri-con award – she shocked and awed streaming audiences around the globe with her nine extraordinary costume changes, complete with protective face masks that made not just a fashion statement, but a social one too.
However, it wasn’t just her extraordinary costumes that were unusual. This year’s VMAs were the first major awards show broadcast since the pandemic shut down the possibility of major gatherings. Even with no physical audience, Lady Gaga’s show-stopping ensembles were crowd pleasers on social media. “Just because we’re separated right now, and culture may feel less alive in some ways, I know a Renaissance is coming,” she shared during an acceptance speech. “Stay safe, speak your mind, and I might sound like a broken record, but wear a mask — it’s a sign of respect.”
Click through the gallery below for a closer look at all of Lady Gaga’s costume changes at the VMAs, and get some inspiration for upgrading your mask game.
It’s not your screen that’s moving, it’s her dress! Lady Gaga accepted an award in a psychedelic number by Iris van Herpen and black platform boots by Pleasers. She completed it with an appropriately pink Mad Max mask.
In a nod to the VMAs ‘Moon Person’, Gaga donned a gravity-defying silver jacket by Area with a clear matching astronaut’s helmet by Muscarella.
In a moment of fashion heaven, Gaga entered wearing an angelic, feathered coat over a silver, sequined bodysuit by Valentino and white platform boots by Pleasers. Her Maisonmet mask was a perfect continuation of her suit.
All Gaga had to do was remove the feathers and add a futuristic Candice Cuoco jacket, and a bra and choker by Manuel Albarrán, and she could accept her Tri-con award in a fresh look.
Because who else but Gaga could pull off a beautiful, billowing, emerald ball gown by Christopher John Rogers with a face mask sprouting tentacles by Lance V Moore?
Apparently, Gaga takes it very literally when she says it is what is on the inside that counts. At one point she was being held back by what appeared to be a small intestine while wearing a bodysuit by BCalla that artistically depicted a human inside out. She paired that with a belt by Edward Avedis and black boots by Saint Laurent. Her gas mask by Michael Ngo, with a working ‘No Entry’ sign by Smooth Technology x Diego Montoya, was on point.
Hello Latex. This look was supplied by Vex Clothing, complete with L.A. Roxx bottoms and Capezio fishnet tights. After all, a girl’s gotta be able to move.
Gaga then donned a Deadly Fetish Couture bra, panties, and leg harness. You know, as you do.