Much like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry’s style influences become apparent very quickly. Katy seems to mostly jack from Betty Page and Dita Von Teese, then add a dash of Japanese cartoons. Now, I’m not really claiming that Dita Von Teese is the first person in modern fashion history to ever do this vintagey-pinup thing, but Dita does it really, really well, she’s super-committed to the look, and she’s actually a student of the 1940s-1950s fashion era, to the point where she’s likely an expert at this point. Anyway, Page Six has an interesting story about people calling Katy out on her blatant theft of Dita’s look, in general and specifically on the cover of Vanity Fair:
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery — but Katy Perry’s new Vanity Fair cover appears to be an almost exact copy of a 2008 Dita von Teese pose.
Perry’s provocative pose on the cover of the June issue, shot by famed photographer Annie Liebovitz and styled by the magazine’s fashion and style director Jessica Diehl, has sparked whispers that the pop star is ripping off burlesque star von Teese’s style.
Perry is also quoted in the magazine as saying: “I looked into what was out there and I didn’t see anyone like me . . . my style, my opinion.”
Yes, apart from von Teese’s almost identical pose, hair and outfit at a 2008 Wonderbra Lingerie Collection launch in London. Photos can still be seen on fan Web sites for the sultry star.
A source said: “Images in this shoot appear to be a direct homage to Dita von Teese. It is surprising that Katy claims to be such an original in the interview.”
Von Teese herself appears to take the imitation as flattery. She told us at the party she hosted at Los Feliz to launch her Cointreau cocktail: “People have always copied my style. I used to have friends who would dye their hair exactly the same shade as mine. I see it as a compliment.” Of Perry, she added: “Katy and I are friends. She comes to a lot of my shows, but she [recently] came backstage and said: ‘I am taking all of this (gesturing at her hair and costume).’ ”
This isn’t the first time Liebovitz has been accused of borrowing iconic images for inspiration. Her 2008 Vogue cover featuring LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen was said to be an homage to a World War I Army recruitment poster. Liebovitz argued she hadn’t seen the poster.
Reps for Vanity Fair and Perry didn’t get back to us. Leibovitz responded: “I’d never seen the Wonderbra ad. Katy’s is a classic pose as old as the hills.”
[From Page Six]
I went back and found the old 2008 images of Dita, and while I wouldn’t say Katy and Annie Liebovtiz jacked the entire look and style, the similarities are certainly striking, especially when you’re looking at hair, makeup and the color of the bustier.
It also sounds like Dita’s not offended – but that she wants to make sure that people know Katy is copying her. Dita is so classy. I love her so much.
Photos courtesy of WENN, VF.
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