Lady Gaga isn't exactly known for subtlety. She's been wowing audiences with wild and
stunning outfits for years. So it's no surprise that as she descended the steps of the Capitol,
preparing to sing the national anthem for President Joe Biden's inauguration, her gown
was replete with style and symbolism.
The red, black and gold ensemble from Schiaparelli Haute Couture, custom designed by Daniel Roseberry,
was a study in contrast and sophistication. The designer revealed in a statement:
"As an American living in Paris, this ensemble is a love letter to the country I miss so
dearly and to a performer whose artistry I have so long admired."
The flawless tailoring of the long sleeved bodice was nearly militaristic and contrasted
sharply with the sumptuous femininity of the blazingly red ball gown skirt. Fashion consultant
Lauren Rothman told the BBC:
"She brought the inaugural ball to the stage in a year where you're not going to get all
of the dress up, the ball gowns that we have come to look at and adore and criticise."
The centerpiece of Gaga's Inauguration-stopping performance was the enormous gold brooch of
a bird in flight. As reported by Cosmopolitan, many were quick to point out the strong Hunger
Games vibes of the ensemble as a whole, and the oversized brooch in particular, which
strongly resembled the franchise's main symbol, the mockingjay. Within the dystopian series,
the mockingjay is a symbol of resistance to a fascist regime especially as worn over the
heart by the story's protagonist, Katniss Everdeen.
"Fire is burning and if we burn, you burn with us."
One user took to Twitter to write:
"Huge hunger games energy from Lady Gaga."
Another use chimed in with:
"lady gaga serving some hunger games symbolism is exactly what i needed today."
But despite their visual similarities, Gaga's dress had nothing to do with the Hunger Games
franchise. Gaga took to Twitter shortly after the inauguration to clear up any confusion.
Showing a close-up of the bird, she wrote:
"A dove carrying an olive branch. May we all make peace with each other."
Traditionally symbolic of peace and mercy, the dove is a biblical reference to the story
of Noah, who built an ark to preserve the animals of the earth during a world destroying
flood. As the story goes, a dove was sent out when the rain stopped to see if dry land
could be found, and returned with an olive branch, a symbol that life could begin once
more.
The United States national anthem similarly references endurance through hardship. Taken
from a poem by Francis Scott Key, the song references the siege of Ft. McHenry, which
withstood a 24 hour onslaught from British forces during the War of 1812.
Many took to Twitter to praise the singer not for her head-turning dress, but her heartfelt
performance. One user called it, quote, "the performance of her life," while a second described
the catharsis she felt as she heard Gaga sing:
"Wow, goosebumps and tears. I have been so worried. Now I can breath."
Columnist Max Boot tweeted:
"The national anthem has seldom resonated as much as it did when Lady Gaga emphasized
the words 'our flag was still there' and pointed to the flag on the Capitol, which had been
attacked just a fortnight earlier."
Of particular poignancy was the moment when Gaga turned towards the flag flying over the
Capitol, singing "Oh say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave," where exactly two weeks
before, armed insurrectionists had attempted to stop Congress from certifying the electoral
votes for Biden's election.
A few also appreciated not just the song, but the fashion nod Gaga tried so hard to
convey; one social media user posted:
"@ladygaga combined fashion and poetry: her inauguration dress is a remembrance poppy
flower to commemorate fallen soldiers."
From fashion to poetry to prayer, the theme of enduring through hardship was a common
one at President Biden's inauguration. Gaga's simple statement with the symbol of the dove
and olive branch echoed the calls for unity that characterized Biden's most recent speeches,
especially the inaugural address.
"We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other
with dignity and respect."
Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus, even more List videos about your favorite
celebs are coming soon. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you don't miss
a single one.