warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Lady Gaga Debuts Short Film At Mugler Fashion Show

Sarah Parvini |
September 29, 2011 | 11:33 a.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Lady Gaga at the Thierry Mugler Spring/Summer 2012 show in March. Courtesy of MTV.
Lady Gaga at the Thierry Mugler Spring/Summer 2012 show in March. Courtesy of MTV.
“Do not anger a Mugler woman; she will eat you.” At least, that was Lady Gaga’s message in her exclusive video for designer Thierry Mugler’s Paris fashion show yesterday.

While she was not there physically, Gaga was at the show in spirit in her much-anticipated short film, directed by Inez and Vinoodh. The short hit the Internet today, and, along with the fashion show itself, sparked some lackluster reviews. Christina Binkley of "The Wall Street Journal" tweeted, “I have rarely seen so many pissed off people rush out of a fashion show. Mugler. #pfw No new trends there.” 

Indeed, both the fashion and the short film left the audience wanting. The film showed a three-headed Gaga (reminiscent of her cover on V Magazine) with buck teeth, warning not to mess with a Mugler woman and saying "I am Paris, we are Paris." Lady Gaga is known for communicating grandiose messages in an obscure way, as well as for her over-the-top fashion, but the video failed to deliver either. In fact, it came across as a shameless endorsement—“Support Mugler because Lady Gaga does”—instead of an artistic collaboration promoting fashion and art as a whole. 

This is not the first time Mugler and Gaga have worked together under the creative direction of Nicola Formichetti. Mugler’s last fashion show saw Gaga working the runway in sky-high platforms, while smoking cigarettes and making the other models look like novices. Gaga’s lack of physical presence was palpable, however, as the show and the apparel lacked an energy that the performer could easily invigorate. Perhaps if Gaga were there this time too, the reviews would have been better. 

Of course, the shortcomings of a fashion show during Paris Fashion Week cannot be blamed on Lady Gaga. The clothes, designed by Sébastien Peigné, are usually strange and appealing at once, but were dull and bland in the RTW Spring 2012 collection. The drama in the pieces came from large, tasteless cutouts, or hanging strips of fabric that made the attire look like it had caught on something and ripped a piece. The collection came off as pretentious and more focused on the hype of a Mugler-Gaga collaboration. The designer is known for making clothes that fit women well and compliment them, yet the collection does not achieve that, either. 

A couple pieces were interesting and might appeal to a wider audience of people who just want something “edgy,” but they were few and far between.

The real question is: “Who would wear this and pull it off?” My only guess would be extremely bold, risk-raking Little Monsters, or Lady Gaga herself. But let’s be honest here—how many Monsters can afford Mugler?

You can view the collection for yourself here.

Reach staff reporter Sarah Parvini here.

Follow Sarah Parvini on Twitter.

Best way to find more great content from Neon Tommy?

Or join our email list below to enjoy the weekly Neon Tommy News Highlights.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.