We are all well aware of Lady Gaga’s stature in the fashion world. Infamous for her dramatic and bizarre twist on fashion as well as her glamourous and more elegant red carpet looks, she is a fashion icon indefinitely.

But we’re not here to boast about Gaga. We’re here to talk about a different fashion icon. One that is affiliated with Lady Gaga, yet in some ways completely separate to the stars own icon status.

In the fifth season of FX’s popular anthology series American Horror Story, Lady Gaga played the role of the Countess.

The Countess is the enigmatic owner of the dark and twisted Hotel Cortez, a place full of supernatural energy and evil. She is a vampiric serial-killer and the complete embodiment of a femme fatale character who seduces and manipulates her victims in the most stylish way.

Alive for over 100 years, the Countess has a style that channels old hollywood glamour with a modern an eccentric twist to show the span of all decades she has lived in. She is completely cultured in all manners of art, literature and high-end couture and the elegant way she dresses matches her cold yet alluring personality. But throughout the season we learn the Countess experienced some truly heartbreaking and traumatic events which led to her starting her life over. Her fashion sense embodies the notion that ‘fashion offers the promise of reinvention and transformation” (Helen Warner, 2015).

Lou Eyrich is the costume designer behind the iconic look of the character. She worked closely with the director of the show, Ryan Murphy, to create a wardrobe that fit his vision of the characters mysterious and unnerving persona. Let’s take a look at some of the remarkable costumes that appeared throughout the season…

The Countess’ screen debut was powerful and screamed fashionista, it was probably one of the most iconic character debuts of the entire show to date. She wore a red vintage Yohji Yamamoto dress and jacket which gave some serious gothic Victorian vibes. The dress had a deep plunging v-neckline and a sculpted skirt while the jacket had large puffed sleeves and two long trains that blended into the skirt.

The gown was accessorized with a small black hat and veil along with a black lace bustier and a diamond encrusted body chain. As she left the hotel to hunt down her next victims at an outdoor movie theater, it was clear that this serial-killer had no intention of mastering the art of subtlety.

Another one of the Countess’ looks that stood out in the dark ambience of the Hotel Cortez was a bottle-green gown paired with a matching pleated turban and an over-the-elbow leather glove. Lou Eyrich used Oscar De La Renta fabric to make the dress which was later soiled with blood as the Countess slit the throat of one of her lovers. She definitely knew how to commit murder in style.

In the seasons fifth episode the Countess goes on another hunt, this time attending a busy fashion show held in her hotel. She looked truly ethereal as she sat front row wearing a white mermaid dress with a layered bustier along with an extravagant felt and feather fascinator. And like always, she accessorized with plenty of diamonds.

In a flashback scene in the fifth episode of the season, the Countess serves some serious Cruella De Vil vibes wearing a vintage Thierry Mugler skirt suit and matching black and white wide brim straw hat. This short business meeting scene shows that the Countess’ high fashion style isn’t just saved for her murder sprees, it’s her lifestyle.

Fashion Fatale loves high fashion and powerful women in fashion, and although the Countess is only a character her elegant and daring fashion style is truly iconic.

She is a successful woman and although she achieved it in large part through manipulation and murder, her image “pivots on not only the understanding that hard work and talent can be converted to success, but also the notion that physical appearance and dress can be a key determinant in this process” (Helen Warner, 2015). Despite her high intelligence, it was her beauty, charm and out of this world style that enabled her to seduce and manipulate her way to success.

Check out costume designer Lou Eyrich’s interview with Variety about creating the Countess’ look for the show…

Images source: LaMaisonGaga on Tumblr