Lady Gaga's stylist steps down

Lady Gaga has lost a key member of her team as her longterm stylist has stepped down.

The pop superstar has spent the last few years working with Nicola Formichetti, who has helped create her outlandish looks, but the fashion expert has decided to focus on other projects.

Formichetti was recently named artistic director of Diesel, and he has now revealed his former assistant has taken over work with Gaga.

He tells WWD.com, "She's going to be my BFF (best friend forever) forever, but my ex-assistant Brandon (Maxwell) is heading that project (Gaga's new album). I'm too busy with (other commitments). I've done two albums with her, it's been like five years, and you know, I'm always going to be involved somehow, but I cannot do it every day. She changes 12 times a day; it's insane."

Gaga's new album ARTPOP is due for release in November (13).