Look, let’s be honest. Most people see a celebrity dressed as a fast-food staple and think it's just a cry for attention. But with the katy perry burger dress, there was actually a method to the madness.
It wasn't just a random costume. It was a calculated, high-fashion pivot that basically defined the 2019 Met Gala's "Camp" theme better than almost anything else on that pink carpet.
The Logistics of a 3D Cheeseburger
The "dress" wasn't even technically a dress. It was a structured, 3D satin "jacket" designed by Jeremy Scott for Moschino.
Imagine trying to navigate a crowded ballroom while encased in two giant, padded sesame seed buns. It wasn't exactly a walk in the park. The outfit featured everything you’d find at a drive-thru: crystalline sesame seeds, bright green satin lettuce, a beef patty, and even yellow cheese slices.
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Actually, the "meat" of the dress was specifically where Celine Dion famously grabbed her during an impromptu meeting in the bathroom. "Seline has grabbed me by the meat," Katy later joked. It's those weird, unscripted moments that make this outfit more than just a meme.
What went on underneath?
A lot of people think she just sat there in the buns all night. Wrong.
Because the outer shell was so cumbersome, Katy had a "lettuce dress" underneath—a tight, green sequined mini dress. This allowed her to eventually "shed" the bun layers so she could actually move, dance, and, you know, breathe.
- The Weight: Her first look of the night, the chandelier, weighed a staggering 40 pounds.
- The Transition: She literally changed in the Met Museum bathroom.
- The Footwear: She didn't wear heels. She wore hamburger-themed sneakers from her own line, Katy Perry Collections.
- The Hat: A glittering toothpick headpiece tied the whole "slider" look together.
Why the Katy Perry Burger Dress Still Matters
You've probably seen it recently if you’ve been rewatching old music videos. That’s because the burger made a massive comeback in Taylor Swift’s "You Need To Calm Down" video.
That was the moment the world knew the "Bad Blood" was officially over. Taylor was dressed as a box of French fries, and Katy was the burger. It was a literal "meat" cute.
The Jeremy Scott Connection
Jeremy Scott and Katy are basically two peas in a pod when it comes to "fashion satire." Scott told Page Six that no performer in pop history has used humor quite like her.
They weren't trying to look "pretty" in the traditional sense. They were trying to outdo expectations. When the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" exhibition was announced, Scott told Katy, "It’s all about you." He wasn't lying.
The Bathroom Incident with J.Lo
There’s this hilarious, grainy video of Jennifer Lopez walking into the bathroom while Katy is struggling to get into the burger. J.Lo just kind of looks at her, ignores the chaos, and keeps walking to the mirror.
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It perfectly captures the divide in celebrity culture: those who take the Met Gala as a serious beauty pageant, and those who treat it like a high-stakes costume party. Katy is firmly in the latter camp.
Was it practical?
Absolutely not.
She famously toppled over while dancing at the Gucci after-party. You can't exactly have a low center of gravity when you're shaped like a Whopper. But that’s the point of Camp. It’s supposed to be "too much."
How to Channel the Burger Energy
You probably aren't going to commission a custom Moschino burger for your next birthday, but the katy perry burger dress taught us a few things about style:
- Commit to the bit. If you're going to go weird, go 100%. Half-hearted "crazy" outfits just look like mistakes.
- Layering is your friend. Having the lettuce dress underneath was a pro move. Always have a "Plan B" outfit hidden inside your "Plan A."
- Footwear is non-negotiable. Even at the Met Gala, Katy knew when to ditch the heels for sneakers.
If you're looking for your own "camp" moment, start with something small. Moschino actually released a "Resort 2022" collection that featured more wearable versions of the burger look—think burger-logo skirts and ketchup-and-mustard trimmed suits. It's a bit more "everyday" than a 3D bun, but it keeps that same playful spirit alive.
To really understand why this look worked, you have to look at the history of the Met Gala themes. In a year where people were confused by what "Camp" meant, Katy provided a literal, edible answer. She didn't just attend the party; she served the meal.
Next Steps for Fashion History Enthusiasts:
Check out the archival footage of the 2019 Met Gala "Camp" exhibit to see how other designers like Gucci and Dior interpreted the theme compared to Moschino’s literalism. You can also track the evolution of Katy’s "food fashion" by looking at her "Bon Appétit" era costumes, which set the stage for the burger’s debut.