Lady Gaga

>> The long-awaited Gaga's Workshop is now officially open at Barneys in New York.

Lady Gaga was on hand last night — in a custom Chanel couture dress, specially designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the occasion — to cut the ribbon and welcome inside the likes of Prabal Gurung, Carolyn Murphy, and Alexander Wang.

The store's fifth floor is completely transformed until Jan. 2, filled with chocolate Alexander McQueen armadillo shoes, studded press-on nails, and candle replicas of Gaga’s head that cry when lit. Inflatable cartoonish sculptures and taxicab wraps promoted the opening around the city, and Barneys's windows, too, have been Gaga-fied. "My favorite window I think is [the] one window that looks like my boudoir and it's covered in blonde hair," Gaga told WWD. "It's gorgeous."

Despite all the expenditure, Barneys expects to break even on the promotion, its chief executive Mark Lee said. Twenty-five percent of the workshop's sales will go to Gaga's new Born This Way Foundation, which focuses on youth empowerment; Lee added that the store hopes to raise over $1 million for the cause.

A behind-the-scenes video, below, and images of the windows, workshop, and launch party guests in the slideshow.

Last night we joined Gaga fans and fashion enthusiasts at the opening of Lady Gaga's Workshop at Barneys in NYC. Wearing a custom-made white tweed dress by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Gaga unveiled her 5,500-square-foot Workshop housing everything from Gaga-inspired sweet treats to accessories to even things for your home (hello, pearl-encrusted teacup!). As a guest in the store, you feel more like you've landed in Willy Wonka's factory — albeit with Gaga's signature flair — than a floor at Barneys. With rainbow-bright hues, technicolor sculptures, and candy displays, the place feels almost like Wonderland where we could have spent hours marveling at Gaga's collection and shopping the night away. That's just what celeb guests like Blake Lively, Brad Goreski, and Prabal Gurung did, making their way around the workshop and sipping cocktails at Lady Gaga's grand opening. We caught up with Blake, who aside from picking up a few Gaga goodies, revealed other items on her holiday wish list: "I've been going a little Chanel-crazy lately. Also Brunello Cucinelli, I just love his sweaters and his jackets — that's been my Fall splurge." Want to see more? Just step inside for a glimpse of Gaga's world, then head to Barneys NYC to see it for yourself and shop online to score your own Lady Gaga gifts.

Blake Lively managed to show some skin in a suit last night at Barneys New York's launch of "Gaga's Workshop." The bright blue Elie Saab look was finished off with lace-embellished shoulders. It was her latest daring look after wearing a revealing Marchesa number Saturday to the Gossip Girl 100-episodes celebration. Blake had the company of her small screen buddy Matthew Settle last night, as well as Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka, Brad Goreski, and Alexander Wang. We caught a moment with the actress, and Blake Lively shared her holiday must-haves. She told us she's currently buying lots of Chanel and Brunello Cucinelli for the colder weather.

Lady Gaga herself was on hand to celebrate the opening of her holiday collaboration with the iconic department store. Gaga was decked out for the occasion in a white Chanel gown that was customized by Karl Lagerfeld. There are tons of details about Lady Gaga's Barneys workshop — the installation, which takes over the shop's entire fifth floor, included eight shopping stations customized by Gaga and her team. Fans can browse a jewelry nook, a bookstore, and a boudoir that sell over 170 limited-edition Gaga-themed products as well as some of her favorite items from childhood. The store-within-a-store is open now and will be until Jan. 2, 2012.

>> Let the countdown begin. Twelve days from now, Barneys New York will unveil Gaga's Workshop: a holiday shopping extravaganza an entire year in the making. The project — a collaboration between Lady Gaga, Nicola Formichetti, Barneys creative director Dennis Freedman, and installation artists Eli Subrack and Christophe Hamaide Pierson — opens Nov. 21, taking over the entire fifth floor of the Barneys Madison Avenue flagship. Eight elaborate shopping stations — a jewelry shop made of a Lady Gaga-faced spider, a bookstore in the shape of a giant pop-up book, a boudoir styled like a giant wig, for example — will sell over 170 limited-edition Gaga-themed products. Among the goodies? Chocolate Christmas ornaments ($6), Gaga-topped snow globes ($95), glittery handmade chocolate skulls ($68), claw-shaped stockings ($65), and a one-of-kind pair of black shoes ($4,100). Also available will be a selection of Lady Gaga's personal childhood holiday favorites — Roald Dahl books, candy lipsticks, malted milk balls, gum balls — hand-picked with help from an expert: her mother.

Gaga's Workshop officially opens at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 21 and will stay open through Jan. 2. Until then, peek elements from the project here, with more products unveiled each day for presale on Barneys' just-launched Gaga's Workshop website. At left, a rendering of the "Gaga Monster" installation that will flank Barneys' 60th Street entrance.
Photos Courtesy of Barneys New York

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The only downside? It's a little tricky to get off since it's so tightly fitted, but if you start with the top corners, it should snap off just fine.