No stranger to embracing eccentricity in her style both on and off stage, Lady Gaga knows how to wow a crowd in a killer ensemble. And her next performance is certainly set to be a memorable one, as she takes to the stage for Joe Biden’s inauguration at the US Capitol on 20 January.
Set to sing the national anthem as the President-elect and Vice president-elect, Kamala Harris, are sworn in, Gaga won’t disappoint. And she’s not the only one participating in the historic day: Jennifer Lopez will also perform; while John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato and Ant Clemons will provide virtual performances, too. Other celebrities set to make an appearance? Actors Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria. Not to mention, Tom Hanks will host a 90-minute TV special celebrating the inauguration later in the evening.
Ahead of the megastar’s performance, below Vogue looks back on the singer’s most radical stage outfits that deserve a spot in fashion history.
Gaga took to the stage in San Jose, California, in 2008 sporting a white bubble leotard with crystal-reminiscent spikes jutting out of her form-fitting mini dress.
Arguably one of the defining moments in the star’s career, in 2009, she performed day two of Glastonbury in a futuristic metallic dress.
Gaga was nominated for five Grammy awards at the 52nd ceremony in 2010, and scooped up two accolades (Best Dance Recording and Best Electronic/Dance Album). Marking the momentous evening with a dazzling performance of Paparazzi, she sparkled in a custom bejewelled bodysuit by Giorgio Armani.
The singer commanded attention at the 2010 Brit awards in a lace bodysuit by Alex Noble and a Philip Treacy mask, while serenading the crowd with a montage of “Telephone” and “Dancing in the Dark”, reportedly paying her respects to the late designer Alexander McQueen, who died the week before.
Photography Fred Dufour / Getty Images5/202010: Paris Bercy Concert Hall
The multitalented musician flexed her sartorial muscles in a PVC dress and perspex keyboard in Paris.
Emanating Cruella de Vil vibes, Gaga’s monochrome wig, gold foil leaf detailing and sheer leopard-print catsuit made for a memorable outfit at the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Majestic Beach, 2011.
We were treated to an amalgamation of beading, leather and fishnet complete with equally extravagant lace-up platform boots at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
Gaga sizzled in a futuristic number created by ex-Paco Rabanne artistic director Manish Arora, emulating the revolutionary vintage Do it Yourself Rhodoid dresses. Chosen from the spring/summer 2012 collection, the iridescent dress was one of five outfit changes the star made that evening.
Photography Kevin Mazur / Getty Images9/202014: Live At Roseland Ballroom
Kicking off the first night of her seven-day stint at the Manhattan Roseland Bowl in 2014, Gaga slipped on a custom flower-bedecked body by Eren Fidanci and a botanical headband by LA hat designer Arturo Ríos.
The Artpop era called for a larger-than-life tour with an equally eccentric wardrobe. The singer/songwriter’s opening ArtRave show outfit was the work of Atelier Versace, consisting of a jewel-encrusted body with a glossy ball on the chest, and ethereal wings made by Living Art of Armando.
A multicoloured ballooned tentacle garment was one of the New York native’s revolving tour outfits constructed by A-list-favoured latex company, Vex Clothing, of which Björk is also a fan.
Performing with Tony Bennett promoting their award-winning album Cheek to Cheek in 2015, she strutted on stage in a figure-hugging Roberto Cavalli Atelier tulle gown, garnished with ivory feathers and Swarovski crystals
Photography NBC / Getty Images13/202016: ‘Saturday Night Live’
A Western theme was her chosen aesthetic to belt out her single A-yo. She settled for a pink cowboy hat, fringed silver top and cowboy boots.
Undoubtedly one of the most defining performances of Gaga’s career was the notable Pepsi Halftime Super Bowl show in 2017 where she set the stage alight in yet another shimmery outfit including bejewelled hot pants, boots and a cropped chest plate.
Gems galore were evidently on the singer’s mind.
Weekend one of Coachella saw the Born This Way singer finish her 2017 set in yet another sheer sparkling bodysuit — noticing a theme here?
Norma Kamali designed a bespoke siren-red sleeping bag coat for her Joanne tour in 2017.
Opting for a more subdued performance in support of the Time’s Up movement, she belted out Joanne and Million Reasons swathed in a pale pink gown.
Performing the hit song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born with her co-star Bradley Cooper at the 2019 Oscars, Gaga wore an elegant Brandon Maxwell cut-out gown topped off with Tiffany jewellery.
A Gaga performance wouldn’t be the same without a hint of Studio 54 glamour, and an evening performance in Florida this year was an opportune moment to throw on a lustrous ensemble from her heaving archive.
