(L-R) Sarah Paulson, Keira Knightley, Anita Hill, Mia Farrow, Lady Gaga, Angela Bassett, Shonda Rhimes, Charlize Theron and Yara Shahidi. Photo / Getty Images
(L-R) Sarah Paulson, Keira Knightley, Anita Hill, Mia Farrow, Lady Gaga, Angela Bassett, Shonda Rhimes, Charlize Theron and Yara Shahidi. Photo / Getty Images
Lady Gaga's outfit at Elle Magazine's 25th Women in Hollywood event this week in LA caused a stir.
It didn't fit the norm of what a feminine outfit is and, well, it didn't really fit her very well, according to standard fashion conventions.
That is precisely why she wore it.
In an emotional speech, Gaga revealed the process that led her to choose the oversized Marc Jacobs suit.
Her fashion statement was loud and powerful and she explained it in her speech at the event:
"So, after trying 10 or so dresses, with a sad feeling in my heart, that all that would matter was what I wore to this red carpet, I saw an oversized Marc Jacobs suit buried quietly in the corner," she said.
"I put it on to a resounding view of eyes glaring at me in confusion. But the Rodarte was so beautiful! one said. But the Raf Simons for Calvin Klein was so stunning on you! said another. But what about the Brandon Maxwell? What about the Dior? Lots of questions. They were all dresses.
"This was an oversized men's suit made for a woman. Not a gown. And then I began to cry. In this suit, I felt like me today. In this suit, I felt the truth of who I am well up in my gut. And then wondering what I wanted to say tonight become very clear to me.
"As a sexual assault survivor by someone in the entertainment industry, as a woman who is still not brave enough to say his name, as a woman who lives with chronic pain, as a woman who was conditioned at a very young age to listen to what men told me to do, I decided today I wanted to take the power back. Today I wear the pants."
Gaga explained her outfit during her speech. Photo / Getty Images
She added that she hopes sexual assault victims get the support she didn't have at the time and feel brave enough to confront their attacker.
"After I was assaulted when I was 19 I changed forever. Part of me shut down for many years. I didn't tell anyone. I avoided it myself. And felt shame even still today standing in front of you. I feel shame for what happened to me. I still have days where I feel like it was my fault. After I shared what happened to me with very powerful men in this industry, nobody helped me. No one offered my guidance or a helping hand to lead me to a place where I felt justice, they didn't even point me in the direction of the mental health assistance I was in dire need of.
"It is my personal dream that there would be a mental health expert teacher or therapist in every school in this nation and hopefully one day around the world. … This is what it means to be a woman in Hollywood. It means, I have a platform. I have a chance to make a change. I pray we listen and believe and pay closer attention to those around us to those in need....Be a helping hand. Be a force for change."
Gaga's powerful statement has received praise worldwide for her courage to speak up.
