Taylor Swift Speaks About ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Vinyl & CD Packaging and Art: ‘I Hope the Fans Are Happy’

Seated in front of a backdrop reminiscent of a floral watercolor painting — perhaps a reference to artist John Everett Millais’ Hamlet-inspired work “Ophelia,” which fans theorize influenced “The Fate of Ophelia” singer’s pose on her new album cover — Taylor Swift talks about the visual art of upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl in a promo clip released by her Taylor Nation team on Saturday (Sept. 20).

The Life of a Showgirl has so far been made available for pre-order in its standard format on CD and vinyl, and in various special editions — with different covers and extras, like the aforementioned photo cards — in limited (now sold-out) quantities on Swift’s official webstore. Target also released an exclusive edition CD pre-order.

Swift adds of the album art, “We chose this really high-gloss finish which I’ve never done before, and I think it looks so cool. We wanted this album to feel really luxurious and kind of as a nod to the luxury that a showgirl puts on when she’s on stage. Meanwhile, in the quick-change room she’s like [out of breath, breathing heavily] … Maybe that’s just me, I don’t know.”

“It’s all just something I’m really proud of,” says Swift, who on Friday announced her new project is also headed to select movie theaters with The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, a premiere experience that will debut her music video for album opener “The Fate of Ophelia,” behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot, lyric videos and personal reflections on the collection’s 12 tracks. “It took a lot of time to put together, a lot of concentration, a lot of organization, but hopefully it pays off. I hope the fans are happy.”

Also on the Showgirl promotional calendar: an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, set for broadcast on the BBC on her 12th studio album’s release date, Oct. 3.

Watch the latest clip shared by Taylor Nation below.