Franc Fernandez created the famous meat dress worn by Lady Gaga at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.
The raw-beef garment became one of Gaga’s most discussed fashion moments and was later associated with the broader history of provocative celebrity dressing explored by fashion exhibitions and media coverage. Fernandez designed the dress, while Nicola Formichetti served as Gaga’s fashion director and stylist for the look.
The garment was made from flank steak and was later preserved through a taxidermy process. It is now held by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The design’s shock value drew attention to ideas about identity, consumption, and the boundary between clothing and performance.
People often credit Gaga herself or Nicola Formichetti as the designer. Gaga wore and helped conceptualize the look, and Formichetti styled it, but Franc Fernandez is credited with creating the dress.