Yesterday’s Met Gala celebration may have been a virtual affair, but that hasn’t stopped celebrities from sharing all that could have been. On social media, stars have been giving sneak peeks at the looks they had prepared for the big night. Julia Roberts, Amanda Seyfried, and more have all shared pictures, though the award for the most inventive outfit goes to Katy Perry. This morning, the pop star uploaded a photo of the custom Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra and belly pad that she had planned on wearing to the “About Time” exhibition. A direct homage to Madonna’s iconic Blonde Ambition tour costumes, the piece acknowledged music history while adding a new layer to the equation. Currently expecting her first child with fiancé Orlando Bloom, Perry would have adapted the look to showcase her baby bump beautifully.
Madonna has long served as an inspiration for Perry, her many ’90s transformations echoing the image shifts Perry has made in recent years. “She did the art of transformation so well,” Perry told Vogue in 2017 while acknowledging that her sheltered upbringing didn’t allow her to explore the star’s discography until she was an adult. “We knew about Madonna and Marilyn Manson in my family because we picketed their concerts.” Now friendly, Perry and Madonna attended the “China: Through The Looking Glass” ceremony together in 2015.
While there’s no doubt that Perry’s Gaultier moment would have made headlines, it isn’t the first time the designer has adapted his wares for motherhood. Back in 2009, model Jourdan Dunn walked Gaultier’s spring ready-to-wear 2010 show wearing a bronze version of the look while pregnant with son, Riley. Dunn’s appearance was an arresting runway moment that deserves to be reimagined for the red carpet, too.