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Taylor Swift
CNN –
There was an eerie silence on Hollywood red carpets amid the ongoing actor and writer strikes, but the music industry was on full display at this year’s Video Music Awards (VMAs).
Since they first aired nearly four decades ago, the annual MTV Awards have been known for their fun and eye-catching looks. And there were plenty of daring outfits on display at the Prudential Center in New Jersey this year — from Doja Cat’s woven Ap0cene dress to Bebe Rexha’s black leather dress with cut-out back that was reminiscent of Prince’s nude yellow lace suit from the 1991 VMAs.
Elsewhere, daring sheer looks were shown by the likes of Megan Thee Stallion in a Brandon Blackwood dress, while Artist of the Year nominee Karol G opted for a sparkling beige dress by French label Ashi Studio. Anitta also impressed in a sheer, off-the-shoulder dress with a keyhole front opening from Schiaparelli’s latest fall-winter haute couture collection.
As the red carpet turned pink for the evening, some attendees opted for complementary hues, including rapper NLE Choppa’s purple suede two-piece and preshow host Saweetie’s pink Flintstones look from New York label Area.
However, others opted for some grunge style: Jared Leto completed his all-black look with vampire eyeshadow and Demi Lovato wore a dramatic all-black leather outfit from emerging Chinese brand Buerlangma.
Below are some of the best looks from the night on the red carpet.
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Cardi B had fun in a custom look from Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu’s eponymous brand. Made from hundreds of metal hair clips, the eye-catching look is a floor-length version of a mini dress seen on the runway of the label’s fall-winter 2023 collection.
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Selena Gomez
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Nicki Minaj
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Dixie D’Amelio and Charli D’Amelio
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Shakira, recipient of this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, appeared in a gold cutout backless dress by Versace and a pair of Jimy Choo shoes.
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Tiffany Haddish was one of many stars who opted for sheer looks. She wore an embellished Jason Wu dress with a black bodysuit underneath, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and Reza earrings and rings.
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Jared Leto looked vampish in an all-black look and smoky eyeshadow. The actor and singer, whose band Thirty Seconds to Mars was nominated in the Best Alternative category, completed the look with blocky, futuristic bangles and a metal choker.
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Doechii mixed media for her red carpet look, pairing a daring glittery sheer woven dress with wool arm warmers and a red Dsquared2 trucker hat.
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South Korean boy band Tomorrow x Together looked good in a variety of black, white and brown looks at their first VMAs.
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Taylor Swift
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Anitta arrived in a sculptural off-the-shoulder dress with a keyhole opening at the front from Schiaparelli’s fall-winter haute couture collection. Her hand-painted rhinestone drop earrings added a pop of color to the look.
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Doja Cat wore a daring Ap0cene dress paired with sheer pointed pumps, diamond chandelier earrings and sparkling silver wraparound bracelets. Her makeup continued the theme with spidery black lashes, bold white eyeshadow, and thin, arched brows.
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Kelsea Ballerini kept it elegant and simple in a red cutout halter dress.
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Bebe Rexha wore a black leather dress with a cone-shaped bustier and daring cutouts at the back.
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Stephen Sanchez wore a black suit with an oversized baby blue bow, a black Diana bamboo handle tote bag from Gucci and black leather boots.
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Måneskin mastered ensemble dressing in a selection of complementary outfits by Rick Owens.
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Chloe Bailey
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Tinashe
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Billy Porter
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Olivia Rodrigo dazzled in a low-cut, bejeweled silver Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown made with 150,000 Swarovski crystals. The look was completed with GUTS rings, as seen on the cover of her latest album, and Roger Vivier platform sandals.
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NLE Choppa went for cowboy chic with a fringed purple suede two-piece and a heavy bejeweled “Cotton Wood” necklace.
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Kaliiii
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Saweetie, host of the awards show’s preshow, arrived early in a look straight from New York label Area’s Fall/Winter 2023 couture runway. The rapper and singer said the pink dress with a boned neckline and waist clasps was a “caveman.” ” look that is reminiscent of “fashion when it started.”
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Karol G embraced the sheer trend in a sparkly sheer beige dress from French label Ashi Studio.
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Actor and model Colton Haynes wore an all-white Dior outfit.
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Megan Thee Stallion wore a sheer black custom Brandon Blackwood dress with Jacob & Co. jewelry.
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Emily Ratajkowski
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Demi Lovato looked edgy in an oversized geometric black coat paired with a mesh and leather mini dress similar to the one she wore on the cover of her upcoming album Revamped.
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Stray children