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Lady Gaga buys jacket made by emerging Singaporean fashion designer

Josiah Chua's Egyptian Pharaoh jacket being worn by a model on the runway. (Josiah Chua)
Josiah Chua's Egyptian Pharaoh jacket being worn by a model on the runway. (Josiah Chua)

To have your creations worn by one of the world’s most recognisable celebrities is a dream come true for an emerging fashion designer.

Singaporean designer Josiah Chua has the honour of adding a multiple Grammy Award winning pop singer to his list of celebrity endorsements - he found out Sunday that his “Egyptian Pharaoh” jacket was bought by none other than Lady Gaga.

Yes, you read that right, the “Pokerface” artiste bought his outfit while she was shopping in Japan, in a quirky fashion boutique called “Dog”.

Some of the people at the fashion boutique Dog in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Josiah Chua)
Some of the people at the fashion boutique Dog in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Josiah Chua)



Gaga was in Japan in August for her “Artpop Ball” tour, and reportedly visits Dog during her trips to Tokyo.

“The shop is also popular with celebrities and singers such as Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga. While I was there a few days ago, the shop staff broke the news to me that Lady Gaga had purchased and handpicked the Egyptian Pharaoh Jacket that I designed and that was pretty awesome!” said an elated Chua.

In an email interview with Yahoo Singapore, Chua explained, “At first, I was only told that it was sold and that the piece was no longer there but I didn't ask who had bought it until I went down the store. So it was pretty crazy when I found out that Lady Gaga had bought it. Sadly, there are no pictures of her buying it but hopefully an image of my jacket with her rocking it would surface on the Internet. For me to know that she has handpicked it herself is just mind-blowing and extremely encouraging.”

A photo of Josiah Chua's Egyptian Pharaoh. (Photo by Josiah Chua)
A photo of Josiah Chua's Egyptian Pharaoh. (Photo by Josiah Chua)

The LASALLE College of the Arts graduate is currently pursuing a fashion degree at Bunka University in Japan, and has been living there for one and a half years.

He describes the jacket Gaga bought as a “denim and gold cracked hooded leather jacket that shows a face of the Egyptian Pharaoh when it’s zipped up”.

Chua designed and made the jacket in 2012 as part of his college graduation collection entitled “Revelation”.

He declined to reveal how much it was sold for.

“That was my favourite piece among the other creations but I would gladly part with it for Gaga,” he said. “I think the garment, with the exaggerated mutton sleeves and pharaoh hood, has a very strong silhouette. It’ll make an awesome addition to anyone as bold and fearless in fashion.”

Chua is also a fan of the singer’s music and fashion style. He says he loves that the 28-year-old star is “weird but at the same time provoking”.

Singaporean actor Nat Ho and model Sheila Sim during a photoshoot for Josiah Chua's outfits. (Photo by Josiah Chua)
Singaporean actor Nat Ho and model Sheila Sim during a photoshoot for Josiah Chua's outfits. (Photo by Josiah Chua)



This is the first time his work has been picked by an A-list celebrity. Chua’s earlier designs have been modelled by Singaporean actor Nat Ho and model Sheila Sim.

This is not the first time Lady Gaga has worn outfits designed by Singaporeans. Fashion designer Ashley Isham also counts Lady Gaga among the list of celebrities who have worn his collections.