Lady Gaga: Fashion Friend or Foe? Why We Might Have Missed the Point

Fashion and crazy go hand in hand. At least, that is what I think of when I turn on my favorite entertainment show or flip open the latest tabloid and am greeted by yet another striking photograph of the infamous Lady Gaga in an outfit of her choice. While she always manages to raise a lot of controversy regarding her outfits and a lot of criticism too, I can't help but admire her risky ensembles. I mean, I don't have the audacity to prance around stage in high boots and hang from ceilings covered in fake blood. You have to give credit where credit is due: the woman is paving the way to becoming a fashion legend.

Fashion is also about taking risks. Sure, the average American consumer may be enchanted by a pea-coat from the GAP, but if anyone has watched The Devil Wears Prada, we all know that particular pea-coat is a remnant from something that hit the runway a good six months or so ago in some outrageous form. What I think makes the world of high end fashion so appealing to any individual with a keen eye, is not only the aesthetics of it, but the craziness of it. Who would want to attend a fashion show with models prancing down the runway in straight leg jeans and a button-down shirt? Those who adore fashion adore it because it is out of the domain of most Americans. It exists outside of our little world of malls and outlets filled with pretty much the same things.

Back to my point about Lady Gaga, the reason why people can't stop talking about her wild and crazy clothes is simply because her risk taking in fashion is mind-blowing to the average American consumer. Most of us can't wrap our heads around how this woman either dresses herself or is convinced by a stylist that wearing a head to toe dress made out of Kermit the frog dolls is a good idea.

What is more, is that I honestly don't believe she does it for the attention the media never relinquishes in giving her. The feminist undertones of her lyrics are hard to ignore and I believe part of the reason for her physically distorting costumes is to emphasize that the pursuit of the epitome of femininity doesn't need to be plain, natural or common. By liberating herself through her attire, she only amplifies the powerful messages she is trying to convey with her music.

In an interview with Ann Powers, from the Los Angeles Times, Gaga was quoted as saying: "When I say to you, there is nobody like me, and there never was, that is a statement I want every woman to feel and make about themselves." Anyone who tries to vindicate Gaga for taking fashion risks that some may see as disasters has completely misinterpreted the Fame Monster's intentions. As a young woman, I commend Lady Gaga's fashion triumphs. While I have no desire to wear any of some of the absurd outfits this pop legend has adorned herself with, I can't deny the power of the message she is trying to send out.

Sources:
Powers, Ann. "Frank Talk with Lady Gaga." http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-ca-lady-gaga13-2009dec13,0,233483.story Los Angeles Times Website