In late June and early July 2021, Lady Gaga turned every exit from New York City’s Plaza Hotel into a fashion moment while preparing for her performances with Tony Bennett.
💫 Jump to a Lady Gaga Plaza Hotel Look:
Although the appearances promoted the pair’s final collaborative project together, they also documented one of the most varied street-style wardrobes of Gaga’s career.
Lady Gaga leaves New York City’s Plaza Hotel in a dramatic polka-dot puff-sleeve blouse, black pencil skirt, and Jimmy Choo Abel pumps on July 2, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Across a series of public outings, she moved between sculptural couture gowns, ’80s-inspired tailoring, polished pencil skirts, and relaxed athleisure, while her footwear evolved just as dramatically.
Early looks relied on elegant pointed-toe pumps from Jimmy Choo and Giuseppe Zanotti, before she gradually returned to the towering Pleaser platform boots that have become one of her signature style trademarks.
Tony Bennett and his wife Susan Crow heading to performance with Lady Gaga in New York City on July 2, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
The timing added another layer to these appearances. Earlier in 2021, Tony Bennett revealed that he had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2016, bringing new significance to every public outing and performance.
Music remained central to Bennett’s life despite his diagnosis, and his performances with Lady Gaga celebrated a partnership that spanned more than a decade. Looking back after Bennett’s death in July 2023, the New York concerts and the Love for Sale project stand as the final chapter of one of popular music’s most celebrated artistic collaborations.
1. Lady Gaga Pairs Jimmy Choo Abel Pumps With a Polka-Dot Blouse and Pencil Skirt
Lady Gaga makes a statement in a polka-dot blouse with oversized puff sleeves and a classic pencil skirt (Credit: Mega / WENN)
One of the strongest examples of Gaga’s vintage-inspired direction came on July 2, when she stepped out in an exaggerated polka-dot blouse and pencil skirt that echoed classic 1950s proportions. The restrained silhouette allowed her accessories—and especially her shoes—to carry the finishing touches.
Allowing the statement-making puff sleeve top to take center stage, Lady Gaga simply tucked it into a classic black high-waisted pencil skirt.
The Grammy winner accessorized her dramatic outfit with Lulu Frost Pearl Ocean stud earrings and an Edward Avedis Clara ring.
Adding a touch of old Hollywood glamour to the look, the Mother Monster styled her hair into a sleek updo and wore a swipe of bright red lipstick with a pair of Illesteva Pamela cat-eye sunnies.
Lady Gaga opts for old Hollywood glamour with a French twist hairstyle and a swipe of red lipstick (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Rather than relying on the towering platforms that had defined much of her public image, Gaga chose black satin Jimmy Choo “Abel” pumps. Introduced as one of Jimmy Choo’s defining pointed-toe silhouettes of the 2010s, the Abel became a celebrity favorite thanks to its streamlined profile, low-cut vamp, and approximately 100mm stiletto heel.
Although the style has since been retired, its elegant proportions continue to influence Jimmy Choo’s pointed-toe pumps, making the Abel a sought-after option on the resale market. Gaga’s black satin pair reinforced the polished, vintage-inspired mood of her outfit without competing with the exaggerated puff sleeves.
Lady Gaga opts for black satin Jimmy Choo “Abel” pumps, a classic pointed-toe silhouette with a low-cut vamp and slender stiletto heel (Credit: Mega / WENN)
2. Lady Gaga Styles Jimmy Choo Lucy Pumps With a Giambattista Valli Tulle Gown
A day earlier, Gaga explored the same refined aesthetic through couture instead of tailoring, pairing a romantic Giambattista Valli gown with equally understated footwear.
The white tulle dress, which retailed for $5,560, had subtle polka dot prints, a bustier top, and ruffle details.
Lady Gaga exits Plaza Hotel in a bridal white gown on July 1, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
The Star Is Born actress paired her attire with a cream wool blend Fendi coat, which retailed for $4,700.
The elegant-looking tailored outerwear featured dramatic bell sleeves with notched lapels, double-breasted mother-of-pearl button closures, and waist pockets.
Lady Gaga pairs her Giambattista Valli white tulle ruffled dress with a Fendi wool-blend coat (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Lady Gaga completed the look with Alessandra Rich pearl clip-on drop earrings and a green Mark Cross Grace bag for a subtle pop of color. She swept her hair into a center-parted French twist and finished with softly contoured makeup and pink lipstick.
Lady Gaga accessorizes with Alessandra Rich earrings and wears a center-parted French twist and pink lip gloss (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Hiding her eyes behind her Illesteva Isabella cat-eye sunglasses, Lady Gaga rounded out her bridal look with Jimmy Choo “Lucy” d’Orsay pumps in white satin.
Distinguished by their sharply pointed toe, signature d’Orsay silhouette, slender ankle strap, and 100mm stiletto heel, the Lucy is one of Jimmy Choo’s most elegant evening pumps.
In ivory satin, the style complemented the romantic Giambattista Valli gown without distracting from its layers of tulle and ruffles, reinforcing the polished old-Hollywood mood that defined Gaga’s early Plaza Hotel appearances.
Lady Gaga finishes her Giambattista Valli look with white satin Jimmy Choo “Lucy” d’Orsay pumps, featuring a pointed toe, cutaway sides, and a slender ankle strap (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Editor’s note: Both the Jimmy Choo Abel and Lucy pumps worn by Lady Gaga have since been discontinued.
As of July 2026, Farfetch carries Jimmy Choo’s current pointed-toe styles, including the Love, Romy, Brigitte, and Ixia pumps, all of which capture the same elegant, streamlined aesthetic in satin, leather, suede, and other finishes.
Original Abel and Lucy pumps can still occasionally be found through luxury resale marketplaces for collectors seeking the discontinued designs.
3. Lady Gaga Grounds Her Giuseppe Di Morabito Gown With Giuseppe Zanotti Carolyne Pumps
Her June 30 appearance leaned fully into dramatic ’80s glamour, pairing oversized shoulders with another pair of refined Italian pumps instead of towering platforms.
Lady Gaga steps out of her NYC hotel in an ’80s-style gown on June 30, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Showcasing her figure, the then-35-year-old singer slipped her curves into a black-and-white gown from Giuseppe Di Morabito.
The ‘80s-style dress has large padded puff sleeves, a ruched corset-style bodice with a sweetheart neckline, a cinched waist, and a thigh-high slit.
Lady Gaga shows a glimpse of her legs and cleavage in Giuseppe Di Morabito puff-sleeve printed gown (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Lady Gaga upped the ante with Oscar de la Renta Swarovski crystal and pearl drop earrings and a diamond ring.
She carried her essentials in a $2,490 1845 Woven Mini Trunk box bag from Mark Cross, which is a replica of the original 1904 Mark Cross design.
Shielding her eyes behind a pair of black retro cat-eye sunglasses, Lady Gaga wore a French twist hairstyle with a swipe of pink lipstick.
Lady Gaga wears a French twist bun and covers her eyes with retro cat-eye sunglasses (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Black suede Giuseppe Zanotti “Carolyne” pumps grounded the voluminous silhouette. Distinguished by their sharply pointed toe, clean vamp, and slender stiletto heel, the Carolyne is one of Giuseppe Zanotti’s signature classic pumps.
Katie Holmes also wore the timeless black suede style, highlighting the pump’s versatility across both minimalist and dramatic wardrobes. Its understated profile balanced the exaggerated proportions of Gaga’s Giuseppe Di Morabito gown, proving she didn’t need towering platforms to make a dramatic entrance.
Lady Gaga completes her elegant black-and-white look with Giuseppe Zanotti Carolyne pumps (Credit: Mega / WENN)
From Jimmy Choo Pumps to Pleaser Platforms: Gaga’s Tony Bennett-Era Shoes
Lady Gaga’s Plaza Hotel wardrobe began with the restrained glamour of Jimmy Choo and Giuseppe Zanotti pointed-toe pumps before moving back toward the towering Pleaser platforms most closely associated with her theatrical style.
Together, the shoes reflected the two sides of her work with Tony Bennett: polished old-Hollywood elegance for their jazz partnership and the unmistakable visual drama Gaga brought to every public appearance.
👠 Explore More Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett Fashion Moments:
- 🎤 See Gaga return to her towering Pleaser boots for her final concerts with Tony Bennett, pairing white 8-inch Flamingo platforms with Christopher John Rogers, Marc Jacobs, and Loewe before switching to 9-inch Infinity boots and 7-inch Xtreme styles across her New York wardrobe.
- 🖤 Revisit Gaga and Bennett’s 2014 Cheek to Cheek television special, where her crystal-trimmed Alon Livné caftan and Brian Atwood sandals introduced a more glamorous, jazz-inspired side of her style.
- ✨ Gaga joined Bennett at the 2015 MusiCares gala in a sheer Atelier Versace gown, completing the black crystal-covered look with Brian Atwood heels hidden beneath its floor-length hem.
- 🎼 Her Cheek to Cheek album-cover wig returned for another Tony Bennett-era appearance, styled with a gold-waisted dress and comparatively restrained peep-toe ankle booties.
- 🎩 A tuxedo-inspired Alexandre Vauthier dress brought menswear tailoring into Gaga’s jazz wardrobe, finished with fishnet tights and high-heeled black leather lace-up booties before a performance of music from Cheek to Cheek.
- 🎺 Discover the story behind Gaga’s trumpet tattoo honoring Tony Bennett, designed by Bennett himself during the making of their first collaborative jazz album and later displayed with her flowing Calvin Klein gown at the Critics’ Choice Awards.