See How Katy Perry’s VMAs Style Evolved

2 minute read

Katy Perry is a style chameleon: from bubblegum-bright cartoon costumes to sleek high fashion, she’s experimented with it all. Green hair? Check. Whipped-cream-shooting bra? Check for that one, too. Throughout her career, she’s found herself in the spotlight as one of pop’s biggest stars, the sartorially-mercurial Perry has appeared at MTV’s Video Music Awards seven times, often making multiple outfit changes in one night for red carpet entrances and performance antics. She’s also recently addressed criticism about cultural appropriation in her costuming and hairstyle choices over the years, noting that she’s working to educate herself on the topic.

This Sunday, Perry will take to the stage once more — as the evening’s host. The Witness singer, who just released a fresh music video for single “Swish Swish,” is also planning on performing at the big night. Cue the guaranteed stream of outfit changes.

Above, check out Perry’s evolution as a style star on the VMAs red carpet, from her classic pop starlet roots in the era of “I Kissed A Girl” in 2008, to the bold choices of Teenage Dream and “Roar”-referencing feline-inspired spots. And don’t forget 2014’s denim dress remix of the attire famously worn by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the American Music Awards back in 2001. If there’s one thing to say about Perry’s style choices, it’s that she’s always willing to take a risk.

Katy Perry
Katy Perry performs at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards held at Paramount Pictures Studio Lot in Los Angeles on, Sept. 7, 2008.Kevork Djansezian—AP
Katy Perry
Katy Perry poses with a fan as she arrives at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards held at Paramount Pictures Studio Lot in Los Angeles on, Sept. 7, 2008.Matt Sayles—AP
Katy Perry
Singer Katy Perry arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York, on Sept. 13, 2009. Peter Kramer—AP
Katy Perry
Katy Perry arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2010.Chris Pizzello—AP
2011 MTV Video Music Awards - Show
Katy Perry accepts the Best Collaboration award onstage during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, on Aug. 28, 2011.Kevin Winter—Getty Images
Katy Perry, Katie Holmes.
Katy Perry accepts the award for video of the year for "Firework" at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, on Aug. 28, 2011. Matt Sayles—AP
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet
Katy Perry arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on Sept. 6, 2012 in Los Angeles.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Katy Perry attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on Aug. 25, 2013.C Flanigan—FilmMagic/Getty Images
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show
Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on Aug. 25, 2013. Mike Coppola—MTV/Getty Images
2014 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Katy Perry arrives at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Aug. 24, 2014. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
2014 MTV Video Music Awards - Roaming Show
Katy Perry speaks onstage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Aug. 24, 2014. Christopher Polk—MTV/Getty Images

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Write to Raisa Bruner at raisa.bruner@time.com