We’ve all seen the trend: the black leather jackets, the oversized flat-top sunglasses, the studded belt wrapped around a leotard and tights. Those who witnessed the glam-rock era firsthand know this isn’t anything new, but when 13-year-olds are decking themselves in spandex and bling, dancing in front of their bedroom mirrors, belting “Starstruck” into their hair brushes – well, I’m no scientist, but I’m seeing some sort of correlation.
“Gaga Glam,” as I like to call it, is a trend undoubtedly spurred by Lady Gaga’s signature look – a look that’s gotten her bashed and harassed by the haters or mimicked by her millions of fans across the globe. But what inspires her to create these looks? A very close friend of hers by the name of Lady Starlight.
The two “ladies” met a couple years back when Gaga was dating the owner of a club – the same club on the Lower East Side where Starlight was go-go dancing. The two met, hit it off and the duo evolved into “Lady Gaga and The Starlight Revue,” a saucy burlesque act full of glitter, costumes purchased at sex shops and some hairspray-induced pyrotechnics.
Now, in January 2010, Gaga’s persona has literally taken over everything: the airwaves, the papers, stages from here to Japan and the look of the trendy, young American – a style she credits fully to Lady Starlight.
“It’s crazy, knowing that the biggest star in the world was inspired by me and isn’t afraid to say so,” says Starlight. “Madonna didn’t do that. You don’t really see pop stars giving credit to anybody when it comes to who inspired them and Gaga has always done that.”
So where does Lady Gaga’s style inspiration get her style inspiration?
Long before the Gaga/Starlight duo emerged, Starlight was drawn to fashion, using the streets of NYC as her runway, as well as her bottomless pool of ideas. “Every time you leave your house you see people just walking or standing on the street wearing something really unique or sexy,” she explains. “It reminds me of when David Johansen (of the New York Dolls) said that it was happening on the streets. It was like ‘whoa!’ And that’s how I began my performing career, by just walking down the street.”
As a heavy metal DJ and a devoted Iron Maiden fan, Lady Starlight draws most of her ideas from music. “I feel so strongly about music that I have to interpret it in a different way. My fashion is an interpretation of music,” says Starlight. Judging by her blazer decorated with broken CD’s on the lapels, this wasn’t hard to see. “They’re placed in a… subtle way,” she says, laughing. The design is a potential product for her clothing line Consume, a design that she must personally test out before it's sold online. “I have to make sure that they don’t malfunction. Like these… these are stabbing me,” she says, pointing to the broken CDs. “So, I’m going to have to move them back a bit.”
What staples are important to incorporate into your “Gaga Glam” look?
The look is pure glitz, definitely not conspicuous, and it’s all about the attitude. Anyone going all out for this look wants to be seen. He or she wants a gaggle of paparazzi snapping their photos, and whether the tabloids talk trash or praise for some daring fashion endeavors, the person wearing the clothes does not give a f*ck.
“You need lights or anything that lights up,” says Starlight. “Anything that’s shiny.” Sequins, glitter, all that jazz and if you’re truly daring, leftover Christmas lights can be incorporated. Second, you need to get naked. Not fully naked, but when it comes to this look, less is definitely more. “Panties. Only one half, the bottom or top of your underwear,” she explains. “Take one item of clothing off, forget the accessories.” Well, not all of the accessories, sunglasses indoors are always a plus (to shield the blinding flash bulbs from all your devoted paparazzi) and shoulder pads, if that counts as an accessory, are a welcome addition to any outfit. The bigger the better (in all instances) and the glittery-er the greater are words to live by in the Gaga fashion book. In short? “Shine and go naked.”
How do you shop for the “Gaga Glam” look?
Don’t just shop in clothing stores – hunt everywhere. A big part of the look is irony and taking clothing out of context is a great way to get that effect and turn a few heads.
“I love finding things and just reshaping them,” says Starlight, who had just purchased a pair of marching band pants. Paired with the right sequined shirt (or no shirt at all), the look would be perfect for a night out on the town. “Yeah this band wear is weird and goofy,” she reveals. “But it’s fun and that’s what fashion is all about.”
Starlight’s online store Consume is a great place to find clothes for your look (especially since both Starlight and Gaga don these pieces themselves). They’re reasonably priced and pretty damn awesome, so this is a perfect start to your “treasure hunt.” If you’re in NYC, continue the search at these stores. They’re just a few of Lady Starlight’s personal faves and a great place to find some glam-wear.
Reminiscence
50 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
“Anything strange that you’re looking for, they’ll have it. They have a lot of fabulous treasures, but they can be pretty expensive.”
Beacon’s Closet
88 N 11th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
“I love it here! Not only are they cheap, but you can also sell your old stuff.”
Paragon Sporting Goods
867 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
“Here you can get some high tech running gear and diving skins which are the best thing ever.”
Resurrection
217 Mott Street
New York, NY 10012
Cobblestones
314 E 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
What trends should you keep an eye on to catch the next wave of "Gaga Glam"?
Are you ready for this one? Rock and roll sportswear. Everything from running shorts and workout tees to diving skins reshaped into a rocker jacket – athletic wear is the new wave in Gaga Glam, and the inspiration behind Starlight’s upcoming designs.
The fitness buff (something you probably don’t know about Starlight) noticed a gap in women’s athletic clothing which spans from now to 1984 – a gap that needs to be repaired before the whole world falls in. “Women’s running gear is just so lame,” she says. “It’s always dusty rose and yoga-inspired… it’s just awful. Somebody needs to do something about it.” Starlight’s favorite piece of athletic wear? Knee support spandex pants. “When I first saw them on the street, I was like, ‘oh my God, what are these’ and I had to have them.”
The look will be something you can wear to hit the gym and then after a few spritzes of Febreeze head out to a nightclub. It’s simple, functional, unexpected, and the next big thing for all the fab trendsetters out there. “Fashions inspired by swimwear, diving, spandex, bright colors, athletic gear, it’s really rock and roll,” says Starlight.
Can you ever take the "Gaga Glam" look too far?
After a few seconds deep in thought, Starlight responds with an answer that’s pure rock ‘n roll and the attitude necessary to fully achieve this look: “Only when you get arrested.”
