Dark-Gothic Ruled the VMAs Red Carpet
The MTV Video Music Awards (aka VMAs) is where fashion's most outrageous moments have taken place. Remember Lady Gaga's meat dress or Miley´s nude latex two piece? Iconic.
An event that invites experimentation is bound to see some major missteps. Fashion isn’t the only wild card in this event, some of pop culture’s biggest scandals in history have gone down in its stage.
Courtesy of L’Officiel
The VMAs red carpet asks for nothing less than boundary-pushing, shocking and unforgettable looks.
This year the award ceremony took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey where celebrities and musicians walked down the red carpet.
Correct me if I am wrong but this year's dress code seemed to be way toned down to a moody, dark theme. Could it even be that we have become numb to the crazy satirical ensembles? Looking at past VMAS red carpet looks it is pretty astounding the evolution between red carpet and mainstream fashion. I mean, what was shocking then could be found in a school hallway today.
Could it also mean that maybe we have seen a little bit of everything? Are we past the wild factor and praise a more glamorous put together look?
Take a look at the best dressed lists from any publication and the ones that made the cut are all a variation of a modern take on a black gala gown.
Courtesy of Bustle
Nevertheless, this is the VMAs so some scandalous and historic moments had to take place and personally it did not disappoint. On the anniversary of one of the most referenced moments in pop culture history was made. Thirteen years after Kanye West, a grown adult, took teenage Taylor Swift's winning moment away from her as he interrupted it to tell her she didn’t deserve to win. Past the obvious entitled, grotesque, rude behavior, that is a reflection on how women are silenced in the music industry, Taylor Swift literally rose up from the dead and without having to take anyone down has won 14 VMAs including this year's Video of the Year Award.
Taylor surprised us all as she made a return to the VMAs red carpet in an Oscar de la Renta dress made from shimmering diamond strands paired with bejeweled Christian Louboutin high heels.
Courtesy of Vogue
She not only looked stunning but her fans have theorized some unhinged theories as to her fashion choice. Taylor is a marketing genius and has fans spiraling as to what her dress references, could it be the announcement of the re-recording of her album Reputation or nodding to her album 1989? If fans weren’t going cray she then goes and drops a bomb no one saw coming, the release date for her 10th studio album!
Courtesy of Bustle
It was thirteen years ago, thirteen being Taylors favorite number, that her mic was stolen. Same day she announces the release of her 10th studio album (I almost died) saying it will be released on October 21st which is Kim Kardashian's birthday! All while she receives yet again the VMA for Video of the Year.
Taylor wears midnight blue, if you know you know.
Clearly I am a Swiftie, but let’s move on to some of the night's favorite looks.
The evening lacked the usual “flashy and controversial” MO but did not disappoint.
Lizzo, who won Video for Good award, took the stage in a Jean Paul Gaultier architectural all black cone-bra staple gown. A winning dress for a winner. In her own words “b****h, I’m winning”, and she is damn right. Before hitting the stage she walked the red carpet in another JPG number, an off the shoulder, dramatic oversized draped black ball gown.
Courtesy of Harpers Bazaar
Lil Nas X continued the dark’ mood theme in a dramatic and flamboyant headpiece and skirt from designer Harris Reed. A sculptural silhouette that has become his signature, remember Beyoncé’s British Vogue cover? Underneath the tiered skirt he wore Reeds shimmering pants from his “60 Years a Queen” collection.
Courtesy of Vogue
Dressing as a group is something few can nail it. As color coordination, silhouette, fabric and styling can all epically crash easily, but Blackpink nailed it. Again, very on theme, Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie and Rose had a gothic-glam ensemble moment minutes before their debut performance at an MTV VMA ceremony.
Courtesy of MTV
Lisa wore a sweetheart neckline Celine jumpsuit with a train and mínimo accessories. Jisoo opted for a more goth-femme look with a Dior black gown with a sheer lace top. Jennie wore a Chanel two piece set, an ankle length a-line skirt and a halter top. Showing more legs, Rose rocked a Saint Laurent mini dress with long sleeves, turtleneck and flower detail. Overall the 4 South Korean super stars opted for more classy looks which could be borderline boring but when placed together make a perfect visual harmony.
As I said, dark is the reigning theme of this year's VMAs, here take. A look at some of the other celebrities who kept things gothic-chic.
Maneskin in Gucci, Jack Harlow in Hermes, Sofia Carson in Carolina Herrera, Dove Cameron in Paco Rabanne and Lili Reinhardt in Fendi.