Lady GaGa cried tears of joy when her friend Brandon Maxwell sent her the first dress he ever made.

The 29-year-old singer-and-actress can remember when she was gifted the exquisite frock from Brandon - who is now director of fashion at Haus of Gaga - and readily admits she was overcome with emotion by her friend's creation and success.

She said: ''I've always known him to be a talent. I'm attracted to people who have interesting minds and bravery within them. Brandon has a fascinating, complicated mind and I felt that I identify with him in many ways. I'm attracted to geniuses.

''I remember when the first dress he made arrived. I was in Belgium and I opened it and it was packaged so beautifully in a box. It was a blue velvet gown with a handmade corset. It had all the accessories, with a matching turban and was made perfectly. When I saw the gown, I just started crying because as I turned it around, I saw 'Brandon Maxwell' on the label in the back.''

The 'American Horror Story: Hotel' star - who is engaged to 'The Vampire Diaries' actor Taylor Kinney - wants to use her success as a ''vehicle'' for the designers she admires.

She told HELLO! magazine: ''I get so excited. I love creative people and to be a vehicle for them to express their dreams. It's wonderful to be able to put on hair and make-up, then walk out of the front door as the cameras go off. Suddenly this piece that we've put so much work into goes around the world. I believe in the power of art to make people smile.''