Paws Down, Monsters: Lady Gaga & Nicola Formichetti Split

A moment of silence, please, for the pop fashion duo that could. Nicola Formichetti and Lady Gaga have officially split — professionally, that is. Over the course of the past few months, Mugler's former creative director has taken on two new gigs: artistic director at Diesel, and, more recently, as Uniqlo's creative fashion director. What those roles entail are a mystery, but we can safely guess that they require more attention than one man can spare. A sacrifice had to be made, and Formichetti chose Gaga.

"I cannot do it every day," he told Racked, and understandably so! The pop megastar changes 12 times a day (this is hopefully an exaggeration, but who really knows with Gaga); trying to balance that task while going between two massive fashion houses would be unbearable. Formichetti left Gaga in good hands, though — The Haus now has Formichetti's former assistant, Brandon Maxwell, styling the singer.

This split is merely a business move; Formichetti is still "best friends" with the singer. And, as Lady Gaga moves in a new direction aesthetically, it's beneficial to both. Formichetti's eccentric eye fit the "Born This Way" era, but ARTPOP is fast approaching, and with it, a new (and very naked) Gaga. (Racked)