MANHATTAN — Barneys is revving up for Monday night's opening of Lady Gaga's Workshop at its flagship Madison Avenue store by installing giant, over-the-top inflatable displays inspired by the pop diva's limited-edition goodies the store will be selling.
The store inflated a massive "Gaga Claw" balloon at Houston and Broadway on Monday, while street performers showed off moves in front of a massive "Gaga Head" further uptown at Columbus Circle. At the same time a huge "Gaga Spider" balloon took over the corner of 23rd and Broadway.
To celebrate the midnight opening of "Gaga's Workshop," and Barneys' eye-catching window displays at 660 Madison Ave., shoppers will be able to spend all night in the store's fifth floor, where Lady Gaga’s Workshop has taken over all 5,500 square feet of the men’s section.
The midnight opening is an unprecedented move for the luxury retailer.
Barneys' 60th Street entrance will be tricked out like a fun house. Shoppers will enter through the mouth of a giant monster-like Lady Gaga. The store's windows will be transformed into “a Gaga themed tableaux,” taking inspiration from music, fashion, astrology and the elements, store officials said.
Gaga's Workshop is divided into eight elaborately designed stations, including a toy shop, library, gallery and a jewelry shop created out of "an oversized Lady Gaga-turned-spider and a boudoir in the shape of a giant wig," according to store reps.
The products will range in price from $6 for stocking stuffer candy to a one-off pair of Gaga shoes for $4,100, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
The project's website, has already sold some limited edition items, including a Gaga light up yo-yo ($25), handmade flame press-on nails designed and created by one of Lady Gaga's nail artists ($225) and spike fingerless leather gloves inspired by the megastar ($285).
Barneys will donate 25 percent of sales from all items featured in Gaga’s Workshop to the Born This Way Foundation, recently founded and announced by Lady Gaga and her mother. The foundation will focus on youth empowerment by building self-confidence, fighting bullying, and involving mentoring and career development.
Gaga is also launching a new art book and will be returning to her roots on the Lower East Side for a signing event at the New Museum on Tuesday.
