They said/We said: News of Gaga’s Christmas takeover at Barneys has got us counting the days till snow

Forget about Christmas in July, Barneys recreated the holiday in August this morning with news that they will collaborate with Lady Gaga on an unprecedented, multifaceted holiday campaign entitled “Gaga’s Workshop.” The campaign is set to launch in mid-November and is described as a shopping environment based on Mother Monster’s idea of Santa’s Workshop. Not only will she kill it in the Madison Avenue windows—Gaga’s Workshop is taking over the entire fifth floor as well.

Gaga will be aided by installation artists Eli Sudbrack, Christophe Hamaide-Pierson of Assume Vivid Astro Focus, and, of course, her partner-in-fashion, Nicola Formichetti. Barneys boasts that they worked with Gaga and Formichetti to design exclusive gift items (think: jewellery made from candy, lip-shaped chocolate, Gaga-hued lipsticks, and a limited-edition Rubik’s Cube), while Gaga will also curate a collection of books and albums. In true holiday spirit, a quarter of the profits will be donated to a charity of her choice. Now, all we need is a bit of snow.

WHAT THEY SAID…

Barneys CEO Mark Lee: “Holiday is about joy, sharing and inclusiveness, and to me, Gaga really represents all of that. Her platform is so much about positivity, individuality and universality in a very today way…She will be so blown away when she sees the final workshop that you never know, she may sing and dance a little in there.” [WWD]

Fashionista: “Maybe she’ll even hold court as Santa–if only her two foot heels can withstand the weight of children on her knee.” [Fashionista]

StyleCaster: “Lady Gaga and Santa Claus aren’t all that different from one another, being that they’re both mythical, magical creatures in funny outfits who shower their believers with gifts—Santa in the form of presents under the Christmas tree and Gaga in the form of epic music videos, wild fashion choices and inspiring words of wisdom. So, it’s fitting.” [StyleCaster

Racked: “A Gaga Santa-land at Barneys on Madison starting in November? This may be the most exciting thing to happen to Christmas since Rudolph.” [Racked]

WHAT WE SAID…

Caitlin Agnew, assistant editor/research: “My Lady Gaga love is no secret, so you can imagine that I was thrilled when I heard about her collaboration with Barneys. And hot-off-the-heels of Carine Roitfeld’s campaign to boot. Go Barneys! I’m mostly intrigued by the Nicola Formichetti–designed gifts and the special Rubik’s Cube. Time for the Little Monsters to start writing their letters to Santa Claus—and crossing their fingers for online availability.”

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