The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards brought its trademark fashion experimentation to the red carpet on September 27, with celebrities arriving at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater in everything from dramatic couture to Y2K-inspired separates. The evening's fashion leaned heavily toward black and theatrical silhouettes, although plenty of color and shine made their way onto the carpet, too.
Among the night's standout arrivals were Taylor Swift in Tamara Ralph, Teyana Taylor in Zuhair Murad, Troye Sivan in Erdem and Charli xcx in Saint Laurent. Tyla offered a colorful contrast in Mowalola, while PinkPantheress and Normani opted for Nina Ricci and Robert Wun, respectively. All seven were also included in ELLE's current roundup of the evening's best-dressed celebrities.
1. Taylor Swift in Tamara Ralph
Taylor Swift brought a high-shine finish to the VMAs red carpet in a Tamara Ralph dress. Vogue described the look as a black sleeveless mock-neck bodice with mesh cutouts paired with a draped silver sequined skirt, creating a strong contrast between the dark upper half and reflective lower half.
Her accessories were equally carefully credited. ELLE listed Le Silla shoes and jewelry from Leviev, Anita Ko, Forever Diamonds and Etho Maria as part of the look. Swift also had a significant night beyond the red carpet, receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors for her work in music-video storytelling.
2. Teyana Taylor in Zuhair Murad
Teyana Taylor embraced the darker side of the VMAs in a black Zuhair Murad gown from the designer's Fall 2026 Couture collection. Marie Claire described the look as a crochet-like gown with a plunging neckline, belted waist, feathered cuffs and a feather-trimmed hem.
ELLE similarly identified the look as a sheer black coat-gown with a feather collar, cuffs and hem. The combination of lace-like texture and feather details gave the couture piece a distinctly theatrical finish without relying on a bright color palette.
3. Troye Sivan in Erdem
Troye Sivan took a runway-driven approach to the VMAs red carpet in Erdem. ELLE identified the outfit as a Spring/Summer 2027 look, while Harper's Bazaar described it as a tailored suit paired with a white feather-plume bustle.
The look placed conventional tailoring alongside an intentionally dramatic element, making Sivan's appearance one of the evening's more distinctive interpretations of formalwear.
4. Charli xcx in Saint Laurent
Charli xcx continued the evening's dark aesthetic in a black Saint Laurent two-piece. ELLE described the outfit as a velvet look with a midriff-baring silhouette and a sheer cutout in the long-sleeved top.
Vogue also included Charli among the night's darker, gothic-inspired arrivals, identifying her look as Saint Laurent. The combination of velvet, black fabric and sheer detailing gave the outfit a distinctly dramatic character while keeping the overall silhouette streamlined.
5. Tyla in Mowalola
Tyla brought one of the most noticeable bursts of color to the carpet in an electric-blue snakeskin-print bra and low-rise skirt from Mowalola. ELLE identified the outfit as a Mowalola look, while Marie Claire specified that the pieces came from the designer's Spring 2027 collection.
The look also leaned into Y2K styling, with a coordinating teal choker and snakeskin-print footwear. ELLE's best-dressed roundup additionally credited Chopard jewelry, including a watch worn as an anklet.
6. PinkPantheress in Nina Ricci
PinkPantheress opted for Nina Ricci for her VMAs appearance. The fashion house credit is confirmed by both ELLE and Harper's Bazaar, which included her among their respective selections of notable red-carpet looks.
Her appearance provided a different direction from the evening's prominent black velvet, lace and feathered looks, while still fitting comfortably within the fashion-focused atmosphere of the ceremony.
7. Normani in Robert Wun
Normani chose Robert Wun for the VMAs, wearing a look that combined metallic shine with dramatic couture construction. Marie Claire described the gown as featuring a liquid-metal bodice, a black trumpet skirt and sleeves that extended into opera gloves.
An oversized botanical adornment extended from one shoulder, adding an organic detail to the otherwise futuristic silhouette. Normani completed the look with chandelier earrings and a pared-back bun, according to Marie Claire.
The 2026 VMAs Red Carpet Embraced Fashion Freedom
Taken together, these seven looks show the range of fashion that appeared at the 2026 VMAs. Black couture and velvet shared the carpet with reflective sequins, metallic finishes, feathers and electric-blue snakeskin print, while runway pieces from upcoming collections appeared alongside established couture designs.
That variety is part of what continues to distinguish the VMAs from more traditionally formal awards-show red carpets. Rather than following one prescribed aesthetic, the evening's fashion gave celebrities room to interpret the occasion through couture, tailoring, dramatic details and bold styling choices.
