Lady Gaga in a meat dress: vegetarians on the verge of burnout
- Camz
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 31
The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Lady Gaga arrives. She’s not wearing Chanel. She’s not wearing Valentino. She’s wearing rump steak.
"And for the lady, rare please."
Some people like to wear leather. Gaga thought: why not go straight to the cow?The dress is made of real raw meat. A kind of haute couture carpaccio.The designer: Franc Fernandez.
Fashion that leaves marks on the couch
Yes, it smells.Yes, it slips a bit when she walks.Yes, it needs to be kept refrigerated.But it’s a statement.
Lady Gaga says that if we don’t fight for our rights, we’ll end up treated like meat.It’s strong. It’s political. It’s also... perishable.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: the slogan that hides shame
At the time, the U.S. military enforced a policy called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”Translation: it’s okay if you’re gay, but shhh, keep quiet.Basically, as long as no one asks, you can serve your country. But if you speak up, you’re out.
Gaga didn’t stay silent.
The meat dress became her spokesperson.
An absurd but powerful symbol: if we don’t fight for our rights, we’ll end up like voiceless pieces of flesh. And that night, on the red carpet, she shouted with beef.
PETA screams, the world watches
PETA cried scandal.Butchers applauded.Twitter choked on a tartare of criticism. Yet, 14 years later, everyone still remembers.
Bonus track: the dress is in a museum
Yes, it was preserved! Like a dried steak.It’s now displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.In a glass case.Odorless.But still as raw.
With her meat dress, Gaga served a look that was indigestible for some, unforgettable for all.
