Just last week, we reported on the new age of beauty extremism that's silently challenging today's most rebellious popstrels to walk unaided into new and unchartered territory of self-adornment. We've seen septum rings, grills (masses and masses of grills) and butt tattoos.

But now, it's looking like this is fast becoming a game with only one player. And that player is, of course: Lady Gaga. Her latest extreme-beauty triumph? Gargantuan hair for a sit down interview (in an oddly pitch black room) with BBC News anchor, Charlie Stayt, a few hours ago.

Of her super-sized hair, Gaga explained; 'I'm inspired by older, classical artwork. I wanted to be the Venus de Milo; a Botticelli in motion.' She then went on to talk about the cornucopia of sea ephemera that's been glued into her huge wig. 'We had to go deep-sea diving very early this morning.'

When you consider that most of Gaga's contemporaries just shove on the huge hair and don't give a moment's thought to it, or better yet, a culturally reverential explanation, you're reminded of Gaga's place as the cerebral queen of the pop landscape. 

Only, where her image is concerned, she's got no one left to out-do other than herself. Where will Gaga go next? That's anyone's guess. 

Watch the full interview here