Many might expect Lady Gaga to fully embrace method dressing for the Joker: Folle à Deux promo tour, considering her penchant for crazy couture. She’s playing Harley Quinn in the sequel to the 2019 Joker film, and I think her eccentric wardrobe complements the anti-hero’s unique flair.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Lady Gaga eschewed her signature artistic, over-the-top selections in favor of glamorous Parisian chic looks for her Venice Film Festival appearance. She dressed in all-black gowns that nonetheless managed to draw attention—as expected of the Mother Monster.
Lady Gaga dons custom Dior at the 81st Venice Film Festival in support of her upcoming musical psychological thriller movie Joker: Folle à Deux (Credit: Cover Images / IPA / INSTARimages)
Theatrical in Custom Dior Gown, Philip Treacy Hat, and Giuseppe Zanotti Boots
Lady Gaga sure knows how to make an entrance! Arriving at the Venice Film Festival premiere of her latest movie, the 38-year-old singer-songwriter commanded attention in a voluminous black Dior gown that brought theatrical elegance to the red carpet.
I wouldn’t describe it as outdated; instead, it’s a classic with a dash of modern edge that flawlessly captures Gaga’s flair. Maria Grazia Chiuri created the elaborate but sophisticated gown for Lady Gaga, showcasing the house’s flair for ultrafeminine, sculpted clothing.
It has a halter velvet bodice with a cleavage-baring neckline that plunges to her sternum. It’s fitted around the waist and transitions into a voluminous, gathered pick-up skirt with dramatic pleating and intricate structures underneath that give the appearance of a soft pillow-like puffy skirt.
Lady Gaga commands attention at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Joker: Folle A Deux wearing a black Dior gown that has a velvet plunging halter neckline and a voluminous pick-up skirt with extravagant pleating (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images)
The entire look is spectacular, but what sets it apart is the Philip Treacy Fall 2001 “The Lace Wing” hat, which perfectly reflects Lady Gaga’s extravagance. Its horned peaks and crystal-encrusted lacy brim fit her villainous movie character well, adding an unconventional yet creative element synonymous with the Mother Monster.
Philip Treacy is an Irish haute couture milliner whose hats are loved by celebrities, including Zendaya, Rosamund Pike, and Kate Middleton.
I definitely love this look on the actress! She ate, devoured, and left no crumbs! Few people can pull off this costumey look without appearing ridiculous, and Lady Gaga is at the top of the list!
Lady Gaga injects her signature unconventional style into the glamorous Dior gown by wearing the Philip Treacy Fall 2001 “The Lace Wing” hat (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images)
The pop icon styled her blonde tresses in an elegant updo to keep the focus on her striking ensemble. She elevated the look with dazzling jewelry from Tiffany & Co., including spiky platinum diamond earrings and a stunning Tiffany Victoria cluster bracelet.
She completed the glamorous set with a Tiffany High Jewelry necklace featuring an eight-carat marquise diamond and 896 round brilliant cut diamonds totaling 22 carats. Adding even more sparkle to her appearance, Lady Gaga revealed her engagement ring from now-fiancé Michael Polansky, CEO of The Parker Group, which she received last spring.
According to Hello! Magazine, the ring is valued at $578,000 and showcases an eight-carat, oval-cut diamond solitaire set in platinum.
Lady Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, share a moment on the red carpet as she shows off her stunning $578,000 engagement ring featuring an eight-carat, oval-cut diamond solitaire set in platinum (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)
I could hardly see Lady Gaga’s shoes underneath her voluminous gown. While she could have been more comfortable in sneakers, which wouldn’t have been seen anyway, she decided to stick to her style and wore towering boots.
The singer wore lace-up booties from Giuseppe Zanotti, which have thick platforms and towering high heels that enhance her petite frame.
Lady Gaga adds an edgy element to the elegant Dior gown with Giuseppe Zanotti lace-up platform boots (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)
Sophisticated in a Dior Velvet Dress and Christian Louboutin Pumps
The previous day, Lady Gaga chose to wear another bespoke Dior design—an understated yet elegant black dress. It’s a fit-and-flare dress with long sleeves and a square neck, embodying her very demure demeanor.
I particularly love how the black velvet fabric adds a touch of refinement to the ensemble and how the dress enhances her figure—it’s fitted at the top and gracefully stretches out into an A-line skirt that ends at her ankles. The slightly puffed shoulders further enhance the dress’s elegance.
Lady Gaga looks very demure in a custom Dior fit-and-flare A-line velvet dress at the Joker: Folle a Deux Venice Film Festival photocall (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)
Lady Gaga wore Tiffany Victoria flower-shaped earrings to add sparkle to the refined look. I thought it was smart of her to keep the outfit simple and elegant by forgoing the necklace and just wearing her blinding engagement ring.
I love how she skillfully accessorized her appearance with black accessories, maintaining the coherence of the entire ensemble.
She fashioned her straight platinum blonde hair in a half-up, half-down ponytail and styled it with a black Dior beret, giving off a very demure Parisian vibe.
Wearing minimal pink makeup with sharp cat eyeliner, Lady Gaga completed her look with $440 black Celine acetate sunglasses and Christian Louboutin’s “Daffodile” pumps. Standing 5ft 1 ¼ (155.6 cm) without heels, these bold pumps dramatically boosted her height. The iconic shoes feature 2.3-inch platforms and 6.3-inch stiletto heels, elevating Lady Gaga to an impressive 5ft 7 ½ (171 cm) on the red carpet. The almond-toe design and towering heels further enhanced her striking appearance.
Lady Gaga boosts her height with the Christian Louboutin Daffodile platform pumps (Credit: Anna Maria Tinghino / Future Image / Cover Images)
Other celebrity fans of the Daffodile pumps include Holly Madison, Victoria Beckham, Nicki Minaj, and Britney Spears.
While the Daffodile is sold out, the Christian Louboutin Dolly Alta 160 pumps, featuring a sleek patent leather finish, 16 cm stiletto heels, and a 5.5 cm platform, are available on Mytheresa as a standout alternative.
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Joker: Folle à Deux: A Shared Madness
Folle à Deux means madness of two, and it most likely refers to the shared madness between Joker and Harley Quinn in this musical sequel.
Joker: Folle à Deux takes place two years after the events of Joker (2019). Arthur Fleck, reprised by Joaquin Phoenix, is a mentally ill, nihilistic criminal now confined at Arkham State Hospital. There, he meets Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, aka Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga), a music therapist, and the two develop a strong bond. Driven by their shared delusions, they go through a musical frenzy that causes havoc across Gotham City.
Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix star in the Joker (2019) sequel, Joker: Folle à Deux (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures / DC Studios)
Todd Phillips directed Joker: Folle à Deux based on a screenplay co-written by Scott Silver. The film opens worldwide on October 2, with its US release following on October 4.