Katy Perry Revisits Her Life in Looks, Including Her Best Met Gala Moments

Given Katy Perry’s many music videos, Met Gala appearances, and Vogue covers, the singer was the perfect choice to revisit some of the best ensembles of her 15-year career in a brand-new “Life in Looks” video. Perry has proven time and time again that she’s the queen of creating memorable style moments, on the red carpet or on a stage. Remember when she performed “California Gurls” at the Super Bowl Halftime show in 2015, wearing a beach ball-inspired dress designed by Jeremy Scott?

Perry—who is currently performing shows as part of her residency, PLAY, at Resorts World Las Vegas—begins her fashion throwback with a look at some of her best music video outfits. At the top of the list is, of course, her 2010 banger “California Gurls.” Styled by Johnny Wujek, the pop star wore a cupcake bra with sparkly denim shorts. “These shorts are actually Diesel jeans that were cut and bedazzled,” says Perry. She also recalls a funny story during the day on set. “When you get a spray tan the day of the music video, your color changes gradually throughout the day—so I kept on getting oranger, and oranger, and oranger,” says Perry with a laugh. “We had to spend so much extra money on color-grading this music video.”

Perry also looks back fondly on her Vogue covers. For her first time gracing the cover in July 2013, she was photographed by Annie Leibovitz. “I felt like Snow White and Elizabeth Taylor,” says Perry of the classic, glamorous shoot. She then went more “OTT” for her 2017 Vogue cover, which was shot by the duo Mert and Marcus. “It was all Commes des Garçons, so I was able to wear art pieces,” says Perry. “It was at a point in my career where I was really shifting my style.”

Of course, Perry’s “Life in Looks” video wouldn’t be complete without a look back at some of her winning Met Gala looks. For the 2016 Met Gala’s “Manus x Machina” theme, Perry’s “heavy” Prada gown nodded to the technology theme via a Tamagotchi attached to the waist. At the 2017 Met Gala, honoring Commes des Garçons, Perry went avant-garde in her red Maison Margiela look complete with a veil. “I loved it so much. I felt like I belonged in fashion finally,” says Perry. For the 2018 “Heavenly Bodies” theme, meanwhile, Perry went ethereal with her Versace look—complete with giant angel wings. “These wings were not light,” says Perry, who also recalls her dramatic entrance. “I arrived in a vintage Rolls Royce standing up.”

Her favorite Met Gala look of all time, however? That would be back at the 2019 “Camp” theme, when she dressed as a Moschino cheeseburger for the after-party—complete with sparkly cheeseburger shoes, from her own Katy Perry Collection. “It was fashion satire,” says Perry. Expect the satire and whimsy to keep on coming. “We have a few looks coming up,” Perry says with a wink.

Above, watch Perry’s full Life in Looks video. 

Director: Nina Ljeti

Director of Photography: David Bolen

Editor: Tajah Smith

Producer: Naomi Nishi

Associate Director, Creative Development, Vogue: Alexandra Gurvitch

Associate Producer: Courtney Walden

AC: Chris Warner

Gaffer: Chris Codd

Audio: Ryan Ray

Location: Resorts World Las Vegas

Production Coordinator: Ava Kashar

Production Manager: Kit Fogarty

Line Producer: Romeeka Powell

Senior Director, Production Management: Jessica Schier

Assistant Editor: Andy Morell

Post Production Coordinator: Jovan James

Supervising Editor: Kameron Key

Post Production Supervisor: Edward Taylor

Senior Talent Manager: Tara Burke

Director of Content, Production, Vogue: Rahel Gebreyes

Senior Director, Programming, Vogue: Linda Gittleson

Executive Producer: Ruhiya Nuruddin

VP, Digital Video English, Vogue: Thespena Guatieri