Fashion

Katy Perry’s Style Evolution, From Teenage Dream to Vogue Cover Star

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    November 2004Then a rising star, a 20-year-old Katy Perry channeled Joan Jett at A Celebration of the American Music Awards.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    February 2008Perry went geek chic in heart-shaped glasses and a fruit-printed dress to sit front row at Betsey Johnson's New York Fashion Week show.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    October 2008Her knack for head-turning showgirl style began early, judging by this strapless corset dress and floral headpiece.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    November 2008Perry first got political at the MTV Europe Music Awards, wearing a sequined Jean-Charles de Castelbajac dress that featured a smiling portrait of newly elected President Barack Obama.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    January 2009A soft Dolce & Gabbana lingerie dress and fur stole evoked Old Hollywood glamour.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    May 2010For the “American Woman” Met Gala, Perry wore a CuteCircuit dress wired with LED lights that changed color all night.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    June 2009While in London, the singer embraced the power of all-over petals in a bold statement blazer.

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    Photo: Splash News
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    June 2010A typical travel uniform circa 2010 meant simple black jeans and retro cat-eye frames.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    June 2011This candy-covered confection was ultimately struck from Perry’s California Dreams Tour, after her hair got tangled in the spinning peppermint panels.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    August 2011She wore not one, but three different looks to the 2011 VMAs, though this cheongsam-inspired Atelier Versace minidress and parasol stood out.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    March 2012Head-to-toe black and blue went next level, thanks to an aquatic dye job.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    March 2012Despite the cool blue ponytail, Perry's flaming Prada sandals and studded top-handle bag still lit up the Miu Miu front row.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    January 2013A prim Valentino dress dotted with flowers put Perry on a more polished path.

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    May 2013It wasn’t on theme, but this Byzantine-inspired Dolce & Gabbana dress for the “Punk: Chaos to Couture” Met Gala went down in red carpet history.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    September 2013A trip to the Chanel show called for clean monochrome, and a double-C pattern scattered over her skirt.

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    Photo: AKM-GSI
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    October 2013Here, she played the gamine rebel with a Saint Laurent dress and Acne leather jacket.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    November 2013Never one to shy away from print, Perry paired a polka–dot Oscar da la Renta gown with an Olympia Le-Tan clutch at the American Music Awards.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    January 2014A tulle Valentino Haute Couture dress with a music-note motif felt tailor-made for the Grammys.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    June 2014Another dreamy Valentino number came out for her Prismatic World Tour—this one flecked with pastel butterflies.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    October 2014Who could forget this life-size Cheeto suit she wore for Halloween?

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    February 2015Designer Jeremy Scott worked with Perry on all four of her Super Bowl halftime show looks, including this star-studded Moschino gown.

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    Photographed by Kevin Tachman
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    May 2015Nothing goes with a little black dress like a trompe l’oeil chain—or Jeremy Scott on your arm.

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    Photo: BFA
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    October 2015Going all-in at a Hillary Clinton campaign rally, in a custom Michael Costello dress and American flag cape.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    November 2015For fall, Perry doubled down on dark romance by layering a velvet coat over a floor-sweeping sheath.

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    Photo: BFA
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    April 2016A Jeremy Scott halter dress decked out with a bright blue guitar at Coachella.

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    Photo: AKM-GSI
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    May 2016She kept it nice and easy at Cannes with a Valentino romper, pink Céline cross-body, and Mansur Gavriel slides.

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    Photo: Getty Images
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    July 2016For a subtle patriotic nod, Perry slipped on a metallic Michael Kors dress to perform at the Democratic National Convention.

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    Photo: Getty images
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    February 2017For Perry, wearing your politics on your sleeve meant a Tom Ford pantsuit and “persist” armband.

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    Photo: REX
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    February 2017According to Perry, there’s no such thing as too much glitter—see this shimmering Christopher Kane dress.

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    Photo: AKM-GSI
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    March 2017A bright watermelon-shaped clutch added punch to a striped Dolce & Gabbana party dress—simple, yet fun.