Lady Gaga Stirs Controversy At The CFDA Fashion Awards 2011

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) honoured the world's greatest industry talent at an exclusive gala event in New York City today.

Click here to see what the celebrities wore to the CFDA Fashion Awards 2011!

Attended by a host of celebrities including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Lady Gaga, Miranda Kerr, Liv Tyler and more, noteable winners of the CFDA awards included Alexander Wang, who won Womenswear Designer of the Year, and Marc Jacobs, who took home the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.

But it seems the real interest was the debate surrounding the winner of the Fashion Icon Award – Lady Gaga. In the lead-up to the CFDA, blogs were buzzing with the opinion that Gaga's inspirational yet unobtainable fashion choices were "undeserving" of such a coveted award.

Click here to see what the celebrities wore to the CFDA Fashion Awards 2011!

"Isn't Lady Gaga just Britney Spears spackled with art school clichés?" asked Esquire magazine.

On the other hand, blackbookmag.com argues that Gaga has heightened awareness of her favourite designers, who are celebrated for their outrageous and impractical designs.

Click here to see what the celebrities wore to the CFDA Fashion Awards 2011!

"For every event that Lady Gaga attends, viewers anticipate her arrival more than anyone else's. That type of attention is what makes Gaga worthy of being honoured as a fashion icon."

Past winners of the CFDA Fashion Icon Award include Sarah-Jessica Parker Kate Moss and Chanel Iman.

Click here to see what the celebrities wore to the CFDA Fashion Awards 2011!

Do you think Lady Gaga deserved the Fashion Icon Award?

Lady Gaga accessorised with sky high platform heels at the CFDA Fashion Awards 2011.