Love is in the air in Venice.
Hours after arriving at the Venice International Film Festival alongside her Joker: Folie à Deux collaborators—i.e., costar Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips—Lady Gaga made her way to the film’s red-carpet premiere with her fiancé, tech philanthropy exec Michael Polansky.
While the two have been dating for nearly four years, they had yet to make their red-carpet debut together—until today. Of course, Gaga commemorated the moment by delivering one of her most dramatic fashion statements to date.
The Grammy winner’s outfit—a Dior Haute Couture creation—consisted of a glamorous black ball gown with a velvet bodice, a flattering drop-waist silhouette, and a voluminous skirt with waves of folded fabric that extended out like tentacles.
As if the dress alone didn’t pack enough of a punch, Gaga made sure to add some extra oomph via her accessories, including a sculptural headpiece with a sheer black lace veil. She capped off the look with an array of diamond jewelry by Tiffany & Co.
![venice, italy september 04 lady gaga and michael polansky attend the joker folie](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2170223025-66d895f7b5915.jpg?resize=980:* ""Joker: Folie à Deux" Red Carpet - The 81st Venice International Film Festival")
![venice, italy september 04 michael polansky and lady gaga attend the joker folie](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2170220185-66d890ec34d24.jpg?resize=980:* ""Joker: Folie à Deux" Red Carpet - The 81st Venice International Film Festival")
![venice, italy september 04 lady gaga attends the joker folie](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2170220254-66d890c919f15.jpg?resize=980:* ""Joker: Folie à Deux" Red Carpet - The 81st Venice International Film Festival")
Gaga confirmed her engagement to Polansky in July, when a fan captured a video of the superstar introducing her beau as “my fiancé” to French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“He loves Lady Gaga, but he’s in love with Stefani,” a source said of Polansky during an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2021, referencing the superstar’s given name. “He loves the theatrics and her artistry, but he is very happy being out of the spotlight and letting her shine.”
The insider added, “Michael is her North Star. He is such a grounding and guiding presence for her.”
As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers’ rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset.