Behind the Look: Jeremy Scott Reveals the Inspiration for Katy Perry’s Historic Met Gala Look

The 2023 Met Gala, which will celebrate the opening of the latest Costume Institute exhibition “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” is just one week away. As the star-studded looks from years past begin to flood your social media feeds, we’re taking a look back at the magical moment when Katy Perry literally lit up the Met Gala red carpet while dressed as a chandelier. 

The year was 2019, the theme was “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” and the designer that brought this look to life was Jeremy Scott, and who at the time was working as the creative director at Moschino (he stepped down from the role earlier this year.) He had the idea to create something that was “rich and austere, like a fancy old-money mansion.” 

“So of course, a chandelier,” the designer shared. “It would be the perfect thing for Katy that no one else would wear.” 

Fans may recall that Perry wore two costumes that evening: she walked the red carpet wearing the chandelier, and later changed into an equally viral hamburger dress. Scott, who has so far designed over 50 Met Gala looks, reveals that the pop star had a preference for the hamburger, and it took some nudging from her fiancé, Orlando Bloom, for her to wear the chandelier (which is currently on display in Buckingham Palace). “Katy’s schedule was so complicated at the time, we were able to squeeze in only one fitting so I was on pins and needles the day of the event,” explains Scott. Ever the professional, Perry made her way up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, problem-free. 

Ahead of the first Monday in May, watch the latest installment of Behind the Look to learn more about how the intricate piece of fashion history came to life.