It’s a dress that certainly took some guts to wear.

But the question on everybody’s lips after Lady Gaga’s appearance in a ‘raw meat’ outfit at the MTV Video Music Awards was: real or fake?

The singer no doubt planned on causing maximum controversy by wearing the ensemble – including a meat hat and purse – to the Los Angeles event on Sunday night, where she picked up eight awards, the most for any artist in 23 years.

Gutsy: Lady Gaga wore a 'raw meat' outfit to the MTV Video Music Awards, where she picked up eight awards

Gutsy: Lady Gaga wore a 'raw meat' outfit to the MTV Video Music Awards, where she picked up eight awards

The dress, the work of Los Angeles-based Argentinian designer Franc Fernandez, came just days after Lady Gaga, 24, appeared on the cover of Japanese Vogue in a bikini also apparently made from meat, sparking outrage from animal rights activists.

Cher, who presented Lady Gaga with the most prestigious award of the night, Video of the Year for Bad Romance, also wore a daring outfit.

The 64-year-old recreated the see-through body suit look from her 1989 video If I Could Turn Back Time.

She said: ‘I’m the oldest chick with the biggest hair in the littlest costume. Back in the day, I used to get thrown off MTV for wearing things like this that seem so tame now. That’s when Lady Gaga was Baby Gaga.’

Cher turns back time

Cher turns back time

Lady Gaga also paid tribute to late designer Alexander McQueen by arriving in one of his gowns.

The 24-year-old singer, who won eight Moonman Awards, arrived on the red carpet in a flowing regal McQueen design, comprising gold, orange and green with a Renaissance-style art print on the front and a pair of ankle-breaking Armadillo 12-inch heels by the late designer.

During the ceremony she also wore a black leather creation by Giorgio Armani, before finishing off with her controversial raw meat dress.

As she walked on stage to collect her Video Of The Year award from Cher, Gaga admitted the meat dress was difficult to walk in.

She said: ‘This outfit’s too heavy to walk in. I apologise if I’m a little slow this evening.’

Lady Gaga later appeared on The Ellen Show still wearing her meaty gown.

And she looked delighted when the host, stern vegan Ellen Degeneres, presented her with a gift of a lettuce bikini to replace it.

Ellen asked Gaga, ‘What is the purpose of the meat?’

She replied: ‘Well, it is certainly no disrespect to anyone that is vegan or vegetarian. As you know, I am the most judgement-free human being on the earth.

Lady Gaga

Fashion forward: Lady Gaga played it regal in a flowing costume gown by Alexander McQueen (left), before changing into a black leather number by Giorgio Armani to pick up her Best Pop Video award

‘However, it has many interpretations but for me this evening if we don’t stand up for what we believe in and if we don’t fight for our rights pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on own bones. And, I am not a piece of meat.’

Ellen seemed unconvinced by this explanation and presented her with the leafy bikini, much to Gaga’s delight.

Ellen said: ‘I have a suggestion, next time you want to pose in a bikini somewhere…’

An excited Gaga held up the bikini and said, ‘It’s fabulous! It’s kale! Is it organic?’

Lady Gaga lettuce bikini