The Evolution of Gaga

Image by Yamino on www.deviantart.com

Stefani Germanotta has been involved in the music scene for over five years. With humble beginnings in the city of dreams of New York City, Germanotta has grown to be not only an irreplaceable part of the music industry, but also an irreplaceable part of pop culture. Stealing the spotlight with the release of her debut album as well as her tendency to wear flamboyant fashion, she has gone on to be a household name. But nowadays Germanotta does not go by her real name. Instead, she is known worldwide as the notorious Lady Gaga.

Getting her start in 2005, Gaga was signed to Def Jam Recordings and was at the time considered to be tamed in both her music and her fashion. However, after the instant popularity of her debut album, The Fame, Gaga began to experiment: first with her music, then with her fashion, and finally with her overall persona. With so much change and so much reinventing of herself, couldn’t we consider Lady Gaga to be a piece of design all on her own?

As silly as it may sound, the idea of Lady Gaga serving as a piece of design in today’s culture can be very plausible, due to the fact that she constantly reinvents herself as well as introduces trends that many have never seen before.

For many, design is considered to be transforming something of the past and making it more appealing to today’s artistic eye. This means that nothing is ever innovative or original—it is simply a newer version of something of the past. Lady Gaga supports this idea by reinventing herself. Starting from her tame side in 2005 and making her way to the ostentatious, controversial figure she is today definitely proves this point.

On the other hand, there are others who consider design to be creating something completely different from what has been done in the past. Many can argue that Lady Gaga adheres to this point as well, due to the fact that she introduces so many trends and statements that violate the social norms of today’s society. Not only does she openly express her support for gay, lesbian and bisexual people of the community (becoming a gay icon in the process), she also incorporates sexual innuendos and controversial subjects in her music videos and stage performances, ultimately making her a big topic in conversations.

Despite being an artist, Lady Gaga has proved that she embodies a form of design. Although it may not be the design we are used to, her reinvention of herself as well as the introduction of new trends and controversy has caused her to grow as an icon, ultimately making her one of the most noted pieces of design in today’s culture and society.