In honor of Lady Gaga’s 38th birthday on March 28, 2023, we’re taking a look back at the wildest, most over-the-top and controversial fashion moments from early in her career, starting with this look…

During a 2009 MTV VMAs afterparty in New York City, Lady Gaga kept things relatively tame as far as her dress was concerned, pairing an iridescent white sheath with a sheer skirt and sheer panels down the sides with sparkly black booties. But never one to settle for “tame,” the pop star topped off her look with a massive lace-embellished headpiece featuring strands of pearls cascading down her forehead. It made us think of how a fly might look on its wedding day…