Lady Gaga: Emerging style icon

Stefani Germanotta, 23, as the fearless Lady Gaga, has been called “the next Queen of Pop” by V magazine. She incorporates fashion and art into her songs and stage performances. Gaga’s design team, Haus of Gaga, pumps out clothes, props and hairstyles for most of Gaga’s shows. Read on to incorporate some of Gaga’s style into that of your own.

Hair:

Lady Gaga dyes her naturally brunette hair blond. She styles her hair in every way imagined, altering her hair length from long and wavy to short and bobbed. Gaga frequently incorporates streaks of neon colors into her hair, too. Experiment with your own hair length and color. Use faux hairclips and hairpieces that allow you to test out different styles sans tears.

Gaga also dons massive hairpieces — lavender beehives, bright-blond sunbursts, button “hats,” braided cones and hair discs (check out her music video, “Paparazzi,” for an example). Gaga crimps her blunt bob for a more voluminous, structured, triangle-like shape, and this is the look on the cover of her upcoming record, “The Fame Monster.” Not enough? Don’t forget about Gaga’s love for statement head and hairpieces, including creations by Katie Eary, Fred Butler and Tilmann Grawe. The hair bow is Lady Gaga’s most popular hairpiece (it is literally a faux-hair accessory, tied into the form of a bow and positioned at the crown of the head or slightly off-center).

Sunglasses and masks:

In case wearing wild hair isn’t enough for you, you also may hone in on Lady Gaga’s style by donning sunglasses night and day. Her collection includes designs from KTZ’s Spring 2010 Collection, Jeremy Scott for Linda Farrow’s Mickey Collection and Alexander Wang’s Spring 2010 Collection. Look for a bright, futuristic pair of sunglasses with sleek, clean lines or a chunky, round pair of shades. Nervous? Wondering if Gaga would approve? If you’re indecisive like me, perhaps opt for the Gaga-approved sunglasses for sale, priced at $10; sunglasses (and a killer leather jacket hoodie for $50) are available via her Web site, http://ladygaga.shop.bravadousa.com.

Keep your eye out for fun masks that make going out more like Halloween (year-round).

Gaga’s disco-mirrored mask has drawn much attention. Other creations by Joji Rupert Kojima (Hotel Gluttony) and Edward Fong have been worn by Gaga. Check out her mask from fashion week — my favorite is the bedazzled black number that Gaga wore to the Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 show at the New York State Armory on Sept. 14.

Clothing:

Gaga is all about a skin-tight bodysuit or leotard — and please, who needs pants?

The girl has rocked suits by Maison Martin Margiela, catsuits by Pam Hogg and denim leotards by Kansas City-born designer Jeremy Scott. Gaga is a big fan of Scott — his line has been described as “lowbrow culture meets high art.” Pair elastic belts with body suits and skirts or pants for your own take on Gaga’s everyday look. Find unique corsetry, patent totes and fishnet tops or tights.

Gaga’s other go-to designers will provide more ideas, like Christian Siriano and Alexander McQueen; Gaga has worn both of the designers’ creations, and she is typically drawn to their oversized-shoulder or highly structured jackets. Designers Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano also make the cut. Gareth Pugh’s Fall 2008 Wizard of Oz collection offers an additional taste of Gaga’s runway style — although I have to warn you, nothing screams “Kansas” about this collection to me! And finally, take a look at Gaga’s favorite patent, lace-up boots, designed by Pink Cobra.