Following the filming of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris last week, fans were given a glimpse of what to expect when the show airs on CBS. Highlights include Bella Hadid’s encounter with her ex The Weeknd on the runway, the delicate silk pink robes, plenty of cute selfies, and Lady Gaga making a bold fashion statement. While performing alongside the Angels, Gaga rocked a pricey black cowboy hat by designer Gladys Tamez, which was worth a whopping $1 million and was inspired by the annual million-dollar Victoria’s Secret bra.
The dazzling hat is adorned with 45,700 Swarovski crystals meticulously stitched onto the fabric, creating a sparkling fringe that cascades down to the singer’s knees. Tamez recalls her initial discussion with Gaga, who simply described her vision as a “cascade of diamonds” resembling a “night sky” with a focus on the color black. That was the extent of the guidance provided by the singer.
Although Gaga’s idea may have appeared unclear to some, Tamez immediately understood the singer’s vision, having collaborated with her for almost two years and previously styling her for the Joanne album cover and tour. Tamez is also working on creating outfits for Gaga’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. Tamez admires Gaga’s strong instincts and extensive fashion knowledge, noting that she is open to taking risks, which makes her an ideal partner to work with. As a milliner, Tamez faced a challenge in merging fashion with functionality when designing the hat for Gaga. Despite the potential difficulties, she was excited to take on the task. The design was inspired by a combination of Bob Mackie and Gypsy Rose Lee aesthetics, which Gaga loved. Tamez emphasized the importance of creating a hat that not only looked stunning but also allowed Gaga to perform comfortably on stage. To strike a balance between wearable and eye-catching, Tamez opted for a design that resembled an elegant and sexy dress rather than a cascading curtain of crystals. She tailored the lengths of the strands to fit Gaga’s body contours, ensuring that the hat moved gracefully with her movements on stage.
Photo: Courtesy of Gladys Tamez Before her show, Lady Gaga made sure to test the durability of the hat by spinning around in it. Once she was confident it would hold up, she decided to pair the custom piece with a strapless black jumpsuit from Hedi Slimane’s final collection for Saint Laurent. She even integrated the hatbox she received from Tamez into her performance of the song “John Wayne.” Tamez was amazed to see Gaga incorporate her travel case into the routine. She was thrilled to see the hat make an appearance on the runway. While Tamez’s creation stood out among the intricate Angel wings and even the diamond-encrusted bra, there was a unique simplicity about the accessory that made it stand out. Tamez describes the hat as both attention-grabbing and mysterious, providing a sense of privacy and intrigue. She believes that Gaga effortlessly amplifies her look with her outfits, rather than being overshadowed by them. Tamez sees her hats as a reflection of Gaga’s true self – a style icon with immense talent, yet grounded and approachable. A true artist who can rock a million-dollar accessory like no other.
