Since its inception in 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards has built a reputation for its experimental, daring, and often strange red-carpet looks.
As a celebration of the year’s most creative, boundary-pushing music videos, it’s an opportune moment for celebs to show off equally inventive fashion. Think: Lady Gaga’s 2010 meat dress, or Doja Cat’s surrealist chicken leg boots in 2021. And yes, there was another meat carcass-referencing moment this year from Saweetie, who wore a dress held together with bones.
Throw in an ongoing double strike by the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA that has banned most film and TV promotion — subsequently starving the entertainment industry of red-carpet fashion — and this year’s iteration saw some of the most standout ensembles yet.
Global pop star Selena Gomez continued her red streak after ushering in the summer of the Little Red Dress back in July with an internet-breaking scarlet Bottega birthday dress. This time, she pulled an Oscar de La Renta gown with streaming tendrils billowing from the waist, which she paired with some strappy red Jimmy Choo shoes.
As the unofficial champion of the night, taking home nine trophies (including Video of The Year for the fourth time in a row), Taylor Swift also nailed the brief in a ruched Versace asymmetric dress with gold buttons. Coupled with layers-upon-layers of diamond and gold necklaces, the ‘Anti-Hero’ singer looked every inch the record-breaking VMA winner.
Shakira chose a slinky golden chainmail Versace gown, but that’s not all. The Colombian artist had not one, but two outfit changes last night. Most notably, another light-blue Versace cut-out dress, held together by bright metallic pins along the bodice.
Cardi B arrived in a custom chrome creation from rising London designer Dilara Findikoglu. The Turkish-born creative has had a huge year in Hollywood, having also dressed Margot Robbie in a teeny corseted crimson dress during her Barbie press tour. This time, the songstress opted for a theatrical, silver dress made from hundreds of hair clips — complete with matching arm cuffs, of course.
Checking off the naked dress trend was Doja Cat in a distressed, spider-knit dress from Ap0cene. The sparse, string gown was draped over a nude thong, and was accessorised with pointy, see-through heels and diamond chandelier earrings.
As for the boys, Billie Porter once again led the charge with an all-white suit, acessorised with a blond side bang. While Offset cheered on his partner Cardi B by wearing a simple yet effective black cropped blazer, classic white shirt, black trousers, and matching hair clips from her Dilara gown. Cute.
