After the taping of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris last week, the world was treated to some sneak peeks of what’s to come when the extravaganza airs on CBS this evening: Bella Hadid’s awkward runway run-in with her ex The Weeknd, those teeny silk pink robes, lots of kissy-face selfies, and Lady Gaga’s daring stage attire. Performing among the Angels on the Victoria’s Secret runway, Gaga donned a black felt cowboy-style hat designed by milliner Gladys Tamez valued at $1 million, made as an homage to the annual million-dollar Victoria’s Secret bra.
Photo: Getty Images
The shimmering chapeau is embellished with 45,700 Swarovski crystals that are embroidered onto the surface of the hat and also hang down like a fringe to just below the singer’s knees.
As Tamez explains, “The initial conversation I had with Gaga was brief—she came in with an idea for what she wanted and called it ‘a cascade of diamonds.’ ” She adds, “She also wanted it to look like ‘a night sky,’ and told me to ‘think in black.’ That was all the direction she gave me.”
Gaga’s vision may have seemed vague at first, but Tamez knew almost immediately what the singer was after, having worked with her for nearly two years prior and having outfitted her in a similar accessory for the Joanne album cover and tour (she’s also designing looks for the artist’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show).
“Gaga has such strong instincts,” says Tamez. “She has a keen vision and an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion but is open to risk, and that’s why she is the ideal collaborator.”
The idea of risk-taking can be difficult for a milliner whose job it is to fuse fashion with function, but it was a challenge that Tamez was more than willing to accept: “Aesthetically, the design was Bob Mackie–meets–Gypsy Rose Lee and Gaga just loved that.
But in the end, the hat had to function and she had to be able to actually perform in it onstage—if it’s beautiful but doesn’t work, then it’s not right.” In order to achieve this balance between wearable and wow-factor, Tamez decided that she “didn’t want a curtain effect with the cascading crystals, but something more like a dress that was elegant and sexy.”
She adds, “I knew she wanted the strands to be long, so we adjusted the lengths according to the contours of her body so that it would move with her.”
Gaga tested its durability by twirling around while wearing the piece ahead of show time. Once she knew it would hold up, she chose to pair the custom look with a strapless black jumpsuit from Hedi Slimane’s last collection for Saint Laurent and even incorporated the hatbox she received from Tamez into the performance of her song “John Wayne.”
“Gaga actually used our travel case in her routine,” the designer notes. “I was blown away when I saw her take the hat out of my luggage on the runway!” While Tamez’s creation certainly upstaged some of the famously intricate Angel wings, and maybe even the diamond-encrusted bra, too, there was a cool simplicity about the accessory that made it special.
“The hat is sort of a paradox in that it can attract attention but also give you privacy and mystery,” Tamez says. “Gaga wears her outfits and they never wear her, so she’s able to amplify her look effortlessly.”
She adds, “Yes, there is a theatrical element, a character, an alter ego that goes with her fame, but I like to think my hats are close to who she really is as a person—a style icon with incredible talent who’s also down to earth.” And who can rock a million dollars on her head like no one else.
News
(N) Molly-Mae Hague breaks her social media silence following shock split from Tommy Fury to thank fans for their support – as the Danish woman at the heart of drama says she has ‘cleared the air’ with Love Island star
Molly-Mae Hague took to Instagram on Tuesday evening to thank her loyal followers for supporting her after her shocking split from fiancé Tommy Fury. Over the weekend, the Danish woman who Tommy was accused of ‘brazenly kissing’ during his boozy holiday finally confirmed…
(N) Loose Women fans slam Kéllé Bryan for ‘trolling’ Ruth Langsford about Eamonn Holmes split as she defiantly wears wedding ring and shows off new look on ITV show
Loose Women fans hit out at Kéllé Bryan for seemingly ‘trolling’ Ruth Lansford as she spoke about remaining friends with an ex after a break-up. Ruth and estranged husband Eamonn Holmes both 64, announced their plans to divorce after 14 years of marriage back in May and…
(N) Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan MAKES CHEEKY JIBE at Ruth Langsford after LENGTHY SHOW ABSENCE DUE to BREAKUP with Eamonn Holmes
Coleen Nolan made a cheeky comment about Ruth Langsford’s lengthy absence from Loose Women. Ruth took some time away from the ITV lunchtime show earlier this year following her split from husband Eamonn Holmes. The pair had been married for…
(N) EXCLUSIVEEX-HUSBAND of Eamonn Holmes’ new girlfriend Katie Alexander BREAKS his SILENCE and sends touching MESSAGE to Ruth Langford following his own ‘HEARTBREAKING’ divorce
The ex-husband of Eamonn Holmes’ new girlfriend Katie Alexander has broken his silence on his former wife’s new relationship. George Alexander, who split from Katie before she began dating the GB News host, said he had a ‘lot of sympathy’…
(N) WAVE GOODBYE Ruth Langsford has done something BOLD and UNPRECEDENTED after SPLITTING from Eamonn Holmes
RUTH Langsford has shown off a bold new hairstyle after her split from husband Eamonn Holmes. The TV presenter showcased the glamorous new do weeks after confirming she and Eamonn were separating. Ruth showed off her glam hair transformation following split with…
(N) Nicki Minaj’s Bold New Music Video Shocks the Internet – See It Now!
Nicki Minaj’s latest music video has taken the internet by storm, leaving fans and critics alike in awe and shock. Known for her bold and unapologetic style, Minaj has once again pushed the boundaries of creativity and self-expression. The video,…
End of content
No more pages to load