“The perfect red carpet look is daring, original, and eye-catching. I love a look that references a style or a trend past, but puts a new, fresh spin on it,” says creative director of Off-White and stylist Ib Kamara. And for Kamara, the one artist that consistently hits the mark and gets it right every time is Beyoncé. “She has always been a star, and every time she appears on the red carpet you know she will look flawless,” he adds.
Having a birds-eye view to the yearly parade of fashion, Lauren Paige—a former publicity co-lead at MTV’s parent company, Paramount—says “you have to bring it!” when stepping onto the VMAs red carpet. Paige worked on the awards show for four years, helping to shape the landscape of the event and escorting talent on the carpet. “The VMAs is the ultimate source for experimental dressing, and is the cultural mecca of awards shows,” Paige says. “When you step onto that carpet, you’re stepping onto historic grounds where some of the world’s most celebrated artists have delivered incredible fashion moments.”
A VMAs red carpet placement can propel emerging designers and burgeoning brands into fashion world consciousness, especially if worn by the right talent. While the presence of legacy brands and established designers being consistently worn to red carpets is often seen as a ‘safe bet,’ artists at the VMAs have championed their favorites, like Cardi B in Dilara Findikoglu and Olivia Rodrigo in Ludovic de Saint Sernin in 2023.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Celebrity and editorial fashion stylist Joiee Thorpe believes brands like Versace remain a top choice for the VMAs because “it’s a sexy brand that has become a red carpet staple.” The likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Mugler, Balmain, and Gucci remain fixtures because, as celebrity fashion stylist Aaron Hawkins says, “these brands are built on drama, sex, and spectacle. And that’s exactly what the VMAs demand.”
And the glam has to match, of course. Ngozi Olandu Young, an Emmy-nominated and two-time NAACP Image Award-winning makeup artist for film and television, believes that Lil’ Kim is the epitome of this standard, nailing it with her groundbreaking 1999 ensemble. “Lil’ Kim’s one-shoulder purple jumpsuit—with the unforgettable pastie—along with a matching lavender wig, frosted lips, and eye shadow was a full color story ahead of its time,” says Young. “It was more than shock value, but about ownership of her femininity; and it opened the door for the unapologetic freedom of self-expression we celebrate at the VMAs each year.”
So, what does it take to truly create a memorable VMAs red carpet moment? It requires a look that is equally “daring, sculptural, and deeply personal,” says shoe designer Thom Solo, whose high heels have stomped across red carpets, stages, and music video sets on the feet of Lady Gaga, Doechii, Lana Del Rey, and more. Solo believes that a show-stopping ensemble should “feel like wearable art, a fusion of architecture, craftsmanship, and storytelling.”
“The VMAs are not as conventional or conservative as the other awards ceremonies,” affirms Solo, “so there’s freedom to play a little—or should I say, a lot!”
Following its high-octane 40th anniversary last year, the VMAs are returning to New York once again. The 2025 awards show will see nominees including Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, and more deliver another round of memorable red carpet moments. Ahead of the 2025 VMAs, here’s a look back at 15 of the most fascinating and thought-provoking VMAs red carpet looks throughout the years—in no particular order: