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What Happened to Lady Gaga's Infamous Meat Dress?

Last Modified Date: March 01, 2024

It’s been 10 years since Lady Gaga showed up at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards to accept the award for Video of the Year (for her song "Bad Romance”) in a dress made from raw flank steak.

By way of explanation, the singer cryptically said that the unusual ensemble, designed by Franc Fernandez, was meant to urge people to stand up for what they believe in, because “if we don’t fight for our rights pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones.” She later clarified that she was also making a statement in opposition to the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Lady Gaga wore a dress made out of raw steak to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. It is now on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

After the awards ceremony, the meat dress -- as well as Gaga's accompanying meat hat and meat purse -- were preserved by taxidermists, and turned into something resembling jerky. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame paid $6,000 USD to preserve the dress. The “garment” was treated with bleach, formaldehyde and detergent, then dyed dark red so that it would retain its original appearance.

A rare fashion statement:

Lady Gaga was the most nominated artist at that year’s VMAs. She racked up a record 13 nominations, including two for Video of the Year -- the first female artist to achieve this feat.

Fernandez designed the outfit using flank steak that he got from his family butcher. Lady Gaga was stitched into the outfit backstage.

The meat dress, which is still owned by the singer, is now on display as part of the “Women Who Rock” exhibition at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.