Here's What It's Like To Make Couture Hats For Lady Gaga

Gladys Tamez was surprised and delighted when her luscious pink hat ended up on Lady Gaga’s Joannealbum cover last year. The Mexican-born milliner had already been crafting hats and caps for the star for years, but this was an unexpected honor for the Los Angeles-based designer.

Since then, the two have continued to work together frequently. Gaga has dozens of Gladys’s handmade couture creations and has worn one at each major appearance since the release of Joanne. Remember that absolute showstopper—made with 45,700 Swarovski crystals—that the Million Reasons singer wore for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show? Yep, that was Gladys.

Gladys recently chatted with The Lookbook, and gave us some insight on what it's like to work with the singer. Turns out, it helps to be fluent in the language of style. Though Gladys and Gaga communicate frequently in person, by phone, and by text, they also share a shorthand that only fashion lovers could understand.

“For example, for Victoria’s Secret, when I said it’s gonna be between Gypsy Rose Lee and Bob Mackie, she totally got what I was talking about,” Gladys told The Lookbook. “She gets the references. If somebody knows fashion, it’s her!”

Gladys can’t reveal if her chapeaux will be seen during the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. But, she hints that she's given the Lady plenty of hats to wear, should Gaga choose to wear one. (And if we were betting people, we’d go for the odds-on favorite.)

(Gladys Tamez)

Gaga's not the only star who’s obsessed with Gladys’s work. Beyoncé wears them in her personal life and had select dancers and band members sport them at her Super Bowl show last year. Popular rapper Future is also a huge fan, as is Johnny Depp. Kim, Khloe, and Kendall have all been clients, as have some of the Ladies of London.

And that's not because Gladys plies celebrities with swag. Oliver Wilson, head of business development, revealed that the brand is not in the practice of giving away its work for free.

“We think this is a luxury product as fine as any major house in the world,” he said. “[Our hats are] always going to be right, and they’re always going to have an elegance to them. I think the reason that people keep coming back is more than how it looks—it’s how it feels.”

Intrigued? Gladys Tamez Millinery accepts appointments for custom luxury hats at its flagship bespoke atelier or at clients' homes in Los Angeles (or elsewhere, if a private jet is involved!) You can also buy versions of Gaga’s Joanne and Lady Bianca styles via her online shop. Our tip? Take a look now; we have a feeling that they may be pretty hard to get by Monday.