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MTV Video Music Awards 2022: Best dressed on the red carpet
Lizzo, Taylor Swift, and Lil Nas X were among the stars who impressed on the red carpet dominated by dark colours, bare bodies and gender fluid menswear.
Compared to award ceremonies in Hollywood, VMAs often see attendees lose out and flaunt their personalities, usually choosing fun, sexy, or experimental outfits over tuxedos and skirt costumes. Fashion history has been made here, too, like Lil’ Kim’s purple one-sleeve and nipple jumpsuit in 1999 or Lady Gaga’s iconic meat dress in 2010.
This year’s event, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, featured performances by the likes of Bad Bunny and Nicki Minaj, with hosts Jack Harlow and LL Cole J. Fashion celebrities also had a lot to celebrate as fashion fans including Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X, and Becky G arrived on the show’s ensembles.
Several stars wore dark colors to match this year’s “black carpet” — though they brought outfits with fetish-inspired accessories, like singer Dove Cameron’s thick leather necklace, or flashes of color, like Sabrina Carpenter’s rainbow embellishment.
Stars have also dared to spy, with celebrities including Ashley Graham, Tate McRae and Jenny from Blackpink shining a light on her midriff. Meanwhile, Manskin’s Anita and Victoria de Angelis apparently paid tribute to Lil’ Kim’s iconic 1999 VMAs outfits with trendy nipple covers.
Some men of the evening exposed their torso, too. Gender fluid fashion added some softness to the menswear collections, with Maneskin’s Ethan Turchio sporting a sheer corset, Conan Gray in a lace Harris Reed costume, and Bob the Drag Queen tweaking a white skirt, matching a plaid jacket and bodice.
Lizzo hit the red carpet early and raised the bar, stepping out in a new creation by Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture. attributed to him: Dia Dipasobel / Getty Images
Becky G wore a colorful figure-hugging ensemble by Zuhair Murad, embellished with stained-glass-inspired illustrations and numerous side-cuts. attributed to him: Kathryn Powell / Getty Images
Supermodel Ashley Graham was the image of confidence in a Houghton NYC dress that pinned at points across her torso to reveal glimpses of her midriff. attributed to him: Ivan Agostini / Invision / AP
Singer Conan Gray was a visionary in white, wearing a whimsical Harris Reed suit with a lace train and jacket. attributed to him: Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images
Sophia Carson was the epitome of elegance in a black hooded dress with puffed sleeves, off the shoulder. attributed to him: Ivan Agostini / Invision / AP
Candidate and host Jack Harlow skipped the standard black suit and opted for a chocolate leather ensemble, complete with an unusual high-neck shirt in a similar color. attributed to him: Dia Dipasobel / Getty Images
Wearing a custom silver Zigman gown, Chloe Bailey wowed her as she walked—with an intricate bust and leg slit that bring in the drama. attributed to him: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Tate McRae brought ’90s vibes in a teal two-piece, which she accessorised with jewels by David Yurman. attributed to him: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Bob the Drag Queen wore a gray plaid jacket, matching blazer and voluminous white skirt. attributed to him: Ivan Agostini / Invision / AP
Maneskin’s Ethan Turchio, Victoria De Angelis, Damiano David, and Thomas Rage bring their fluid gender style to the black carpet, featuring heart-shaped nipple shrouds, shimmering torso-pop capes, and sheer Gucci corsets. attributed to him: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Sabrina Carpenter chose a black Moschino gown with rainbow florals and thigh-high cut-outs. attributed to him: Ivan Agostini / Invision / AP
Singer Dove Cameron was a study in contrast with a strapless Paco Rabanne dress, which combines florals and leather clothing elements — and a black necklace to top it all off. attributed to him: Andres Kodaki/AFP/Getty Images
All eyes were on singer Sami Hawk in his graffiti-inspired leather jacket and bright green hat. attributed to him: Kathryn Powell / Getty Images
Blackpink members Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie, and Rosé have arrived in all-black complementary outfits attributed to him: Dia Dipasobel / Getty Images
Bright green is so popular on the VMA carpet that rapper Latto wears a short lace-up dress in a neon shade. attributed to him: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Host LL Cool J created a tried-and-true look, opting for an all-black ensemble, beanie, sunglasses and custom ‘Cool J’ bespoke dusters. attributed to him: Andres Kodaki/AFP/Getty Images
In an apparent homage to Lil Kim’s iconic 1999 VMAs, Anitta dared wear a red asymmetrical corset and artistic nipple cover from Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2022. attributed to him: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Always elevated in menswear, J Balvin’s ivory approach to the suit by Louis Vuitton features wide-legged trousers, a double-breasted jacket, and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. attributed to him: Ivan Agostini / Invision / AP
One of the most experimental looks of the night was the sculptural quilted dress that Chloe Feynman wore, with a coral trim and worn with a metallic microbag. Designed by Rich Asfour for Instacart, she finished the look with a silver heel. attributed to him: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Actor Colton Haynes would have been impossible to miss in a glowing acid green Dior suit, which featured a wrap jacket, diamond brooch, and platform shoes. attributed to him: Ivan Agostini / Invision / AP
Lil Nas X was a tough contender for the best dressed, wearing a sculptural Harris Reed ensemble featuring a feathered skirt frame and headpiece. attributed to him: Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images
Top photo: Taylor Swift (Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images)