It’s been almost two months since Lady Gaga shut down the red carpet at this year’s Met Ball, in not one, not two, not even three, but four OTT, uber-camp looks (surpassed only by Billy Porter, who was draped in gold and jewels and carried in on the shoulders of six buff, oiled-up Adonises) – and tbh we’re still recovering. 

Now, with her Vegas residency having drawn to a close, the iconic singer has been in New York, playing a small, intimate gig at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem last night, where – surprise! – she turned a serious look just before hitting the stage. 

Wearing a high-waisted leather skirt with chunky silver belt, a matching bandeau, and fetish-y, full-length gloves, the outfit was the work of 2019 Dazed 100-er Akà Prodiàshvili. Known for his avant-garde collections, the Tbilisi-based designer draws inspiration from drag queens including Violet Chachki and Sasha Velour, club kids past and present, and the Georgian LGBTQ+ scene. 

Using his work as a medium with which to fight back against the country’s archaic attitudes towards the queer community of Georgia and the rampant homophobia felt on its streets, previous champions of his work include Arca, who enlisted the him to create a series of looks for her 2018 tour. 

Whether intentional or not, Gaga’s championing of a young, queer, Georgian designer comes at a significant moment. Following a week of intense protests and unrest across the country, as tensions between Georgia and neighbouring Russia rise, Tbilisi’s Pride march, which was supposed to take place on Sunday, June 24, was postponed. 

The first event of its kind since 2013, when attendees were violently attacked by anti-gay protesters, the move comes as a blow to those trying to push things forward when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights across the country. We’re hoping to see the march rescheduled soon, and sending our support to the country’s queer kids fighting for change.