How Katy Perry Transformed Her Red Carpet Style

Katy Perry is known for her bold beauty looks, theatrical ensembles, and chart-topping beats, but each year brings a more mature Katy — and with that, a more refined style. From satin skater dresses and sheen tights to ethereal designer gowns and decadent accessories, the pop princess has had quite the red carpet transformation. While her style has taken a more sophisticated turn, Katy would never completely abandon her signature whimsy, showcasing the perfect balance of fantasy and finesse in her latest looks.

Today marks Ms. Perry's 30th birthday, and we are celebrating with a red carpet retrospective. Whether you're a self-proclaimed "Katy Cat" or a Perry rookie, everyone can appreciate the playful, polished, and downright prodigious creations Katy has donned through the years. Click on to honor the fashion-forward icon.

Getty | Jeffrey Mayer

A fresh-faced Perry chose a satin fit-n-flare for the a 2006 Lucky event in LA.

Getty | Toby Canham

The singer wore a gold and black mini cinched with a satin bow for Nintendo Wii's LA launch party in 2006.

Getty | Stephen Lovekin

Geek chic in a fruit-print babydoll dress, heart-shaped glasses, and tough combat boots sat front row at Betsey Johnson's Fall 2008 show during New York Fashion Week.

Getty | Alexandra Wyman

From her raven-hued locks to her stark white pumps, Katy's 2008 ASCAP Pop Awards look was perfectly color coordinated.

Getty | John Shearer

If a mermaid decided to walk the red carpet, we have a feeling she would wear something similar to this shimmering ensemble Katy donned in 2008.

Getty | Jon Kopaloff

The 2008 MTV Movie Awards brought out the playful side of Perry in a colorblock halter bodysuit with plume details and starburst adornments.

Getty | Jeff Kravitz

Who wouldn't bat a lash at Katy's cheeky satin Jean-Charles de Castelbajac dress? The singer teamed her brilliant blue creation with bright yellow pumps and a jeweled cupcake clutch at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Getty | Dan MacMedan

Katy Perry brough a little old Hollywood glamour to the 2009 Grammy red carpet with retro curls and a strapless pale pink chiffon Basil Soda gown featuring bejeweled, layered ruffles at her waist.

Getty | Mike Marsland

At first glance the punk-rock creation Katy donned for the 2009 Brit Awards seemed a bit harsh for the pop princess, but upon close inspection we spotted her signature sweetness: diamond-encrusted Hello Kitty add-ons.

Getty | David Livingston

For NYE 2008, Perry channeled her inner vixen in a sultry corset minidress and lace tights, accessorized with a with a pendant cross and short black bob.

Getty | Dave Hogan

How adorable is this feathered Jenny Packham creation? We love how Perry's lace ankle-wrap pumps lent additional romance to her 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards look.

Getty | Charley Gallay

Katy flaunted her enviable curves in a fiery body-con dress in November 2009.

Getty | Venturelli

A frothy mermaid tail and one-shoulder black lace overlay turned Perry's 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards into a red carpet ace.

Getty | Steve Granitz

Katy Perry had us blinded by the (sequin) light styling of a plunging multicolored dress by The Blonds with attention-grabbing silver sequined Christian Louboutin heels at the 2010 Kids' Choice Awards.

Getty | Michael Tullberg

It was all about luxe textures at the 2010 Grammy's Friends and Family event. Katy topped her asymmetrical leather dress with a crystal-adorned shag coat.

Getty | Gregg DeGuire

At the 2012 MTV Movie Awards, Perry topped her jewel-encrusted Zuhair Murad mini with brilliant blue locks to secure all eyes on her upon her red carpet arrival.

Getty | Venturelli

Perry had just the ticket for the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards, in this red and black Jeremy Scott sparkler and brilliant blue Sergio Rossi slingbacks.

Getty | Michael Loccisano

The singer chose a geometric-print one-shoulder Issa gown for a 2010 David Lynch Foundation event in NYC.

Getty | Steve Granitz

The pink-locked princess was all smiles in a beaded, cutout kimono minidress, candy-pink heels, and a sweet parasol at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

Getty | Jon Kopaloff

Katy Perry's not afraid of a little drama, as proven by the printed Vivienne Westwood gown, blue heels, and geometrical fascinator the star chose for the 2011 American Music Awards.

Getty | Jason Merritt

Katy turned it out for the 2012 Kids' Choice Awards, owning the neon and crop-top trend — what an overachiever! — in an electrifying bralet, printed Gerlan Jeans miniskirt, and multicolor ponytail.

Getty | Gregg DeGuire

Every girl needs a dress she can twirl in. For the 2012 LA premiere of her documentary Katy Perry: Part of Me, Katy wowed in a red velvet Dolce & Gabbana full-skirt creation, matching pumps, and ombré purple curls.

Getty | Frazer Harrison

The honoree lit up the red carpet in a gorgeous Marchesa Resort '13 gown, complete with a Temperley London purse and Charlotte Olympia heels, at an event for The Trevor Project in December 2012.

Getty | Jon Kopaloff

Perry definitely has our vote for queen of the Emerald City, turning heads in an embellished Yves Saint Laurent gown for a 2013 celebration of Carole King and her music. She completed her glowing ensemble with a vintage diamond necklace and bronze ankle-strap heels.

Getty | Jason Kempin

The brunette was an absolute vision in this form-fitting tangerine halter from Alexander McQueen's Resort 2013 collection at the MusiCares gala in February 2013.

Getty | Jon Kopaloff

Katy Perry took the 2013 Grammys red carpet by storm in a dazzling seafoam green Gucci gown adorned with gorgeous jewels and a peekaboo keyhole cutout.

Getty | Kevin Mazur

Looking every bit the California girl that she is, Katy donned a body-con Hervé Léger combo at the Kids' Choice Awards in July 2013.

Getty | Paul Morigi

Katy Perry stepped straight out of a fairytale donning a draping moss-green Giambattista Valli gown, cinched with a structured bronze belt, at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April 2013.

Getty | Stefanie Keenan

For the Catherine Martin and Miuccia Prada Gatsby exhibition, Perry was ladylike perfection in a floral wine-hued creation from Prada's Spring 2013 collection.

Getty | Kevin Mazur

Posing in an opulent Dolce & Gabbana sheath accessorized with raven-hued locks, a guilded crown, and statement crucifix earrings, Ms. Perry's 2013 Met Gala look was all about dark decadence.

Getty | Jason Merritt

Looking every bit as sweet as a smurfette, the singer rocked a regal leather and lace Tadashi Shoji dress with coordinating Pedro Garcia shoes for the Smurfs 2 LA premiere in July 2013.

Getty | Dimitrios Kambouris

Katy roared — sorry, but we had to — in a leopard-print Emanuel Ungaro creation featuring gold appliqués and a thigh-high slit at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. She completed her wild style with Céline sandals and Anita Ko earrings.

Getty | Julien Hekimian

Perry attended the Mademoiselle C cocktail party in luxe brocade confection featuring silk bell sleeves and a modest mock collar.

Getty | Bertrand Rindoff Petroff

Perry oozed Parisian cool in a black and white Chanel ensemble at the Spring/Summer 2014 show during Paris Fashion Week.