The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet leaned decidedly dark.
Ahead of the Sept. 27 ceremony at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater, stars embraced black gowns, sheer fabrics, corsetry and gothic-inspired styling, while silver embellishment and pearls provided some of the night's brightest counterpoints.
Taylor Swift arrived in shimmering Tamara Ralph couture, Teyana Taylor went dramatic in Zuhair Murad, and Charli XCX embraced head-to-toe Saint Laurent. Vogue also highlighted the trio among a wider group of notable arrivals that included RAYE, LISA, Tyla and PinkPantheress.
Taylor Swift Brings Showgirl Sparkle to the Carpet
Swift blended two of the evening's strongest trends — corsetry and high-shine embellishment — in a black-and-silver Tamara Ralph couture look.
The outfit featured a high-neck black bodice with sheer panels and an asymmetrical silver sequined skirt draped around the hips. She completed the look with Le Silla shoes and jewelry from Leviev, Anita Ko, Forever Diamonds and Etho Maria.
The styling fit neatly into Swift's ongoing Life of a Showgirl aesthetic while keeping the palette darker than a traditional red-carpet sparkle moment.
Teyana Taylor took that darkness even further.
Taylor wore a dramatic black Zuhair Murad couture gown featuring plunging lace, sheer detailing and feathered accents that extended into a sweeping silhouette. Elle and Vogue both singled out the look while discussing the evening's broader embrace of dramatic black fashion.
Charli XCX and RAYE Take Opposite Routes to Glamour
Charli XCX approached the carpet with a more stripped-back version of gothic glamour.
She wore a black Saint Laurent look by Anthony Vaccarello built around velvet, an exposed midriff and a sharply sensual silhouette. The outfit continued the darker visual language Charli has favored while maintaining the sleek minimalism associated with Saint Laurent.
RAYE moved in the opposite direction.
The singer wore silver Georges Hobeika Couture with shimmering embellishment and delicate pearl drops, giving one of the night's clearest examples of the pearl trend that appeared across several looks.
The contrast between Charli's black velvet and RAYE's reflective couture captured much of the night's fashion story: moody colors on one side, old-school glamour and sparkle on the other.
Pearls, Leather and Corsets Keep the Fashion Drama Going
Ella Bright also leaned into pearls, pairing an archival Roberto Cavalli dress with a multi-strand pearl choker.
PinkPantheress chose Nina Ricci, while Olandria embraced a dramatic corseted leather mermaid silhouette from MMS. Ciara Miller offered another take on corsetry in an Aidan Euan ensemble featuring a tiny structured top and low-rise trousers, finished with Tom Ford shoes and Pandora jewelry.
Together, the looks made corsetry less of a one-off detail and more of a defining thread running through the 2026 carpet.
The same was true of black. Rather than reading as simple or safe, the color appeared through feathers, velvet, lace, sheer panels and sculpted leather, giving stars room to interpret the trend in very different ways.
The 2026 VMAs Red Carpet Goes Dark — but Never Quiet
The VMAs have historically rewarded fashion that feels more experimental than conventional awards-season dressing, and the 2026 carpet followed that tradition.
Vogue characterized the night as one filled with statement dressing, while Elle highlighted the balance between black-heavy looks and brighter moments from stars including LISA and Tyla.
There was no single uniform approach, but several themes repeatedly surfaced: corseted construction, sheer fabrics, pearls, dramatic black and flashes of silver.
Swift brought the sequins. Taylor supplied the feathers. Charli delivered velvet minimalism. RAYE leaned into pearls.
Together, they helped make the 2026 VMAs carpet feel less like a conventional awards-show parade and more like a showcase for pop stars willing to push their fashion personas a little further.
