Feature · fashion
MTV Video Music Awards 2022: Best red carpet fashion
Lizzo, Taylor Swift and Lil Nas X were among the stars who wowed on a red carpet dominated by dark tones, exposed midriffs and flowy menswear.
The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards kicked off on Sunday evening, with stars like Lizzo and Blackpink hitting the red carpet for the big night.
Compared to Hollywood awards ceremonies, the VMAs often see attendees letting loose and showing off their personalities, usually choosing fun, sultry or experimental outfits over formal gowns and ball gowns. Fashion history has also been made here, such as Lil’ Kim’s one-sleeve purple jumpsuit and seashell nipple pasty in 1999 or Lady Gaga’s famous meat dress in 2010.
This year’s event, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, featured performances from the likes of Bad Bunny and Nicki Minaj, with Jack Harlow and LL Cool J. Famous fashion watchers also had plenty to celebrate as style darlings like Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X and Becky G arrived in spectacular ensembles.
Many stars wore dark shades to match this year’s ‘black carpet’, although they livened up the outfits with accessories inspired by fetish wear, such as singer Dove Cameron’s thick leather choker, or flashes of color, like Sabrina Carpenter’s rainbow ornaments.
Stars also dared to bare, with celebs like Ashley Graham, Tate McRae and Blackpink’s Jennie showing off their midriffs. Meanwhile, Maneskin’s Anitta and Victoria de Angelis paid apparent homage to Lil’ Kim’s famous 1999 VMAs dress with fashionable nipple covers.
Some of the men of the night also showed their torsos. And gender-fluid fashion brought some softness to the menswear ensembles, with Maneskin’s Ethan Torchio in a sheer corset, Conan Gray strutting in a Harris Reed lace dress and Bob the Drag Queen twirling with a white skirt, with which she combined. a blazer and a plaid vest.
Lizzo hit the red carpet early and raised the bar, stepping out in a new off-the-runway Jean Paul Gaultier creation. Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Becky G wore a colorful figure-hugging ensemble by Zuhair Murad, decorated with stained glass-inspired tarot card illustrations and plenty of side cutouts. Credit: Catherine Powell/Getty Images
Model Ashley Graham was the picture of confidence in a Houghton NYC dress that cinched in stitches across her torso to reveal glimpses of her midriff. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Singer Conan Gray was a vision in white, wearing a whimsical Harris Reed ensemble with a train and lace jacket. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images
Sofia Carson was the picture of elegance in a black hooded column dress with off-the-shoulder puffy sleeves. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Nominee and host Jack Harlow skipped the standard black suit and opted for a chocolate leather ensemble, with an unusual turtleneck shirt in a similar hue. Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Wearing a custom silver Zigman dress, Chloe Bailey dazzled as she walked, with her intricate bustier and leg cut adding drama. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Tate McRae brought the ’90s vibes in a teal two-piece, which she accessorized with David Yurman jewelry. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Bob the Drag Queen wore a gray plaid blazer, matching vest and white voluminous skirt. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Maneskin’s Ethan Torchio, Victoria De Angelis, Damiano David and Thomas Raggi brought their gender-fluid style to the black carpet, wearing heart-shaped nipple covers, shimmering torso-baring capes and sheer Gucci corsets. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Sabrina Carpenter chooses a shiny black Moschino dress with rainbow floral prints and hip cutouts. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Singer Dove Cameron was a study in contrast in her Paco Rabanne strapless dress, which combined floral elements and leather fetishes, and a black choker to finish it off. Credit: Andres Kudacki/AFP/Getty Images
All eyes were on singer Samy Hawk in his graffiti-inspired leather jacket and bright green hat. Credit: Catherine Powell/Getty Images
Blackpink members Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie and Rosé arrived in complementary all-black outfits Credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images
Bright greens hit the VMAs carpet, with rapper Latto wearing a neon-hued lace-up mini dress. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Host LL Cool J went for a tried-and-true look, opting for an all-black ensemble, cap, sunglasses and custom ‘Cool J’ button-downs. Credit: Andres Kudacki/AFP/Getty Images
In an apparent homage to Lil Kim’s famous VMA dress from 1999, Anitta dared to bare in an asymmetrical red corset and artistic Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2022 nipple cover. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
J Balvin’s ivory approach to Louis Vuitton suits, always for elevating menswear, featured wide-leg trousers and a double-breasted blazer, and Tiffany & Co. jewels. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
A sculptural quilted dress worn by Chloe Fineman was one of the most experimental looks of the night, with coral trim and carried with a metallic micro bag. Styled by threeASFOUR for Instacart, she finished off the look with silver heels. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Actor Colton Haynes was impossible to miss in an acid green flared Dior dress with a wrap blazer, diamond brooch and platform shoes. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Lil Nas X was a strong contender for Best Dressed, rocking a sculptural Harris Reed ensemble with a tiered feathered skirt frame and headpiece. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images
Top image: Taylor Swift (Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images)