For almost a decade now, Lady Gaga has been known to take fashion risks like no one before. The 31-year-old diva has made headlines with her eccentric ensembles, ever since seemingly emerging from nowhere in 2007 and quickly topping the charts with her hits. Born Stefani Germanotta, Gaga has since made headlines for her differences with Madonna and her high-profile relationships, including her breakup with former fiancé Taylor Kinney. On the sartorial front, Gaga is no stranger to being extravagant, over-the-top, creative and downright odd. Aside from being a six time Grammy Award winner and a Golden Globe-winning actress, Lady Gaga has also become a trendsetter and a style icon in her own right. Here is a look at her style evolution over the years. 

With Just Dance rising to the top of the charts in 2008, everyone was eager to put a face to the pop princess. Her iconic blonde wig and flashy bodysuits soon made her a household name. Over the next few years she would challenge the norm with risqué outfits. At the 2009 VMAs she accepted her award in an Alexander McQueen red sheer lace dress and mask, which was only one of six outfits she wore that night. Her other ensembles that night included more see-through lace, and a blood-stained two piece during her Paparazzi performance.

Photo: mrgogogermanotta on Instagram

The following year, her reputation for donning bizarre outfits only grew stronger, when she wore a Franc Fernandez dress made entirely of meat to the VMAs. Paired with matching meat-covered heels, her ensemble was the talk of the town. With PETA offended and breathing down her neck, Lady Gaga told Ellen DeGeneres that the dress was part of her protest against the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

It’s hard to believe that anything could top the meat dress, but when she arrived to the 2011 VMA’s in an egg-shaped vessel all bets were off. She reportedly spent three-days inside the egg until she “hatched” on-stage during her Born This Way performance. According to Lady Gaga, her 72-hour hibernation was a “creative experience” and that she “really wanted to be born on stage”. This was also the same year she introduced her alter ego, Jo Calderone.

Photo: Instar Images

Recently, we’ve seen Lady Gaga’s style transformation as she opts for pantsuits and elegant gowns. In 2016, Gaga wore a Brandon Maxwell ivory two-piece to the American Music Awards. While it was a breath of fresh air compared to past red carpet ensembles, in true Lady Gaga fashion, the politically charged ensemble is said to have paid homage to Hillary Clinton and suffragists.

Photo: Instar Images

Just a couple weeks after, Gaga attended the British Fashion Awards in an elegant and timeless black gown, also designed by Brandon Maxwell.

Photo: Instar Images

However, at this year’s Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga threw it back to her early days and donned a shiny leather ensemble by Alex Ulichny. Featuring feather embellishments and plenty of cleavage on display, the skimpy ensemble also highlighted her toned form. Combined with thigh-high platform boots, this revealing outfit certainly had an essence of old school Gaga style. 

While Lady Gaga’s sartorial choices has changed since she first appeared on the scene, her eccentric taste has made her a contemporary style icon. Whether she’s clad in sophisticated suiting or more racy pieces, it’s clear that her fashion (like her music) always aims to make noise, and perhaps the occasional political or social statement as well.